Matthew 7

Matthew 7:1 is one of the most misused verses in the Bible.

From the NIV- 1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Too often we use this verse as a defense against someone confronting us about one of our sins or something we are doing wrong. This verse comes as a first defense to those situations, and is so popular I have friends who aren't Christians who have quoted this verse to me before.

The idea is communicated a bit further in verse two; that what we dish out we are inviting back on ourselves.

But Jesus is saying less about individual actions and more about our overall attitude. An attitude of judgment means we will be treated in the same way by God, who is infinitely more powerful and wrathful. In Luke 6:37, a parallel passage, Jesus says

"forgive, and you will be forgiven..."

While an attitude of judgment reciprocates the same from God, a forgiving mindset invites the same from God, who is infinitely more full of love and grace than we.

Jesus rules out the attitude of pride that views oneself as better than others (From the ESV Study Bible)

From verses 13-27, Jesus takes us through four choices that we have to make in our lives;

1. Choice between two gates (13-14)
2. Choice between two prophets/ spiritual influences (15-20)
3. Choice between which of two kinds of disciples we will be (21-23) and
4. Choice between two foundations (24-27)

In each one, it is important to take a moment of introspection and prayer and understand which choices we have made thus far, and which choices are the ones we want. For me, the choice of foundations is the toughest, for I often feel like my home/foundation (my security and place of refuge) isn't based on the rock that God is, but on meaningless things that the world says is good. Verse 27 tells us that when trials come, if we aren't based on God, our house will fall.

Lastly, verse 28-29 reminds me of the importance of reading the Bible for myself. A lot of times I think that I can get away with just listening to a sermon on Sunday, and that is all the spiritual intake I need for the week. How I have found this not to be true!

"29. For he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."

When we open the Bible, we are reading from the authority of God. Scripture is pure truth, waiting to opened so that God can reveal to you what He wants you to hear. Jesus had, and spoke with, more authority than any other person in history, and so reading the Bible and reflecting on its truth is the absolute best thing I can put into my mind. When I think about all the time I spend filling my mind with junk, (watching TV, videogames, spending time around bad influences, hearing lies at school or work) the more I realize the need to be in the Word and in truth, from the One who speaks with authority.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please change my attitude towards others. Help me to shed my prideful thinking and make me humble, having an attitude of forgiveness. I pray that you would reveal to me which choices I am making, and how I need my decisions to change for the better path/prophets/disciple. I know that my foundation isn't always on you, where it needs to be, so I pray that you would identify where it is and bring it back to your love and grace. Thank you for your divine authority and your truthful Word.

Amen.

  Nathan Albers | High School Student