Devotional: Double Standards Matthew 7:1-5

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:5, NASB).

The Sermon on the Mountain is recorded in Matthew 5-7. Jesus teaches His disciples how they are to live as citizens in the kingdom of God. He tells them who they are and He tells them that His ways are different from that of the religious leaders of the day. Jesus corrects many of the errors that the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees have established for the people. The religious leaders judge people and hold them to certain religious standards. At the same time, these religious leaders seek to exclude people by finding them guilty of being outside the requirements in the Law as they see it. On the other hand, Jesus teaches the people that He comes to give life and hope to all people regardless of their status in life.

In our text today, Jesus teaches us to not have double standards as the religious leaders do. Do not think of yourself as righteous while you judge others to be sinners and without hope. Before you attempt to judge another person by certain standards one should judge their self by the teaching that He gives to them. Those who judge others without judging themselves are guilty of having double standards.

When I judge myself I am likely to discover that I am as guilty of sin as the next person. If I judge myself I am able to see more clearly the person that I am judging. I must not have double standards. I must take the log out of my own eye so that I can see the speck in my brother’s eye.

Prayer: Lord, search my heart. Show me my sin so that I can confess them and receive Your forgiveness. Amen.