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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Matthew 7:1-6

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

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

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Daily Devotional: Measure for Measure

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

Matthew 7:1-2

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  

Mathew 5:7

In college, I took a Shakespeare course and, once I adjusted to the language, I enjoyed his plays. Shakespeare’s dialogue brilliantly captures human nature, making his characters timeless. His play Measure for Measure comes from today’s verse about God judging us as we judge others. It is a dark comedy featuring Angelo, a recently appointed official who decides to enforce Vienna’s disregarded sexual morality codes. He prosecutes Claudio for impregnating his fiancée out of wedlock. When another official asks him to consider leniency since it is likely that Angelo has been tempted by sexual sin, Angelo insists that being tempted is not the same as falling. He egotistically doubles down, declaring, “When I, that censure him, do so offend, let mine own judgment pattern out my death.” In other words, he says that if he sins like Claudio, they should use the same measure by which he judged Claudio and sentence him to death. Later, he violates his own standard by trying to coerce Claudio’s sister, a nun called Isabella, into sleeping with him in exchange for Claudio’s life.

Though it is hard to admit, we can all be a little like Angelo. We condemn others for doing the same things we do. We find satisfaction in measuring people and imagining we are superior. Sadly, Christians can be some of the most judgmental people around because we know our Bibles and assume we speak for God. However, there is only one lawgiver and judge, and it is not us. The truth is that none of us measure up to God’s standards—yet He is merciful. If God, who has never sinned, can be merciful, so can we. Our gratitude for grace should overflow into mercy for others.

Sometimes I judge people without realizing it. When I am aware enough to catch myself, I ask God for forgiveness and consider what my judgments reveal about my insecurities. If I judge someone’s appearance, do I care too much about my own? If I label someone’s character, am I reacting to something in myself? Judging demands perfection from everyone, including ourselves, but being merciful reassures us of our security in Jesus. Mercy aligns us with God’s heart, who promises, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Next Steps

As you go through your day, become aware of what you judge others for. Reflect on what these judgments reveal about your insecurities, and how your devotion to self-image interferes with being merciful. Choose to be merciful to yourself and others, knowing that when you are, you reflect the grace you have received.