This saying of Jesus on judging others is probably one of his most practical counsels when it comes to human relations.

First, a clarification: ‘judging’ here doesn’t mean having an opinion about. That can’t be helped. All of us form opinions about a whole variety of things. ‘Judging’ means condemning, speaking harshly of. Most of us are very critical of others just because they are different from ourselves.

Secondly, as Matthew frames this statement, it implies reciprocity. This means, in the measure you give, so will you receive. If you are generous in your opinions of others and accept their weaknesses and foibles, you in turn will be dealt with generously by God. It is inevitable that men judge one another, but they can expect to be called to account for their judgments. So whoever judges another unfairly, God will hold that person responsible and deal with him severely too. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “ forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Matthew uses a popular proverb as a metaphor for our biased judgments. Someone reproaches another for having a ‘splinter’ in his eye which gives him a crooked vision, but that very someone has a ‘beam’ in his own eyes which distorts his eyesight even more seriously ! Acute observation of the faults of others combined with a complacency about one’s own character is a common character trait everywhere. If we were more careful in this, the world would be a happier place!