6 Judging

7:1-12

Judge not

7:1-12 "Do not judge in case you are judged in turn. For with whatever judgment you judge others you will be judged in turn. With whatever measure your measure out things will be measured out for you in the same way. Why do you see the chip in your brother’s eye when you do not consider the beam in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother “Let me pluck out the chip in your eye yet there is a beam in your own? Hypocrite. Pluck the beam out of your own eye first of all. Then you will see clearly and you will be able to pluck out the chip from your brother’s eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs. Neither cast your pearls before the pigs lest they trample them

with their feet and turning may attack you. Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. Everyone asking will receive and those who seek will find and to the one knocking it will be opened. Which amongst you will not give his son a loaf of bread when he asks for it rather than a stone.” Or if he asks, will give him a fish and not a serpent. If therefore you who are evil know what good gifts to give to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good things to those who ask. Treat others in the same way as you would like them to treat you. This is the message of the law and the prophets."

Once again Matthew is building a position re a society based on law which is in turn based on the laws of nature. Thus it is common sense to realise that if a person ‘rips the back off others’ in gossip the same person is likely to be associating with people who would be doing the same to them or who at least are thinking along similar lines. In a cosmic sense such people are alienating themselves from a sense of optimism and self worth. Also if they are dishonest etc it is likely their associates will be dishonest as well. On the other hand if people pray for something then this in itself is a help. For a start it clarifies their own thoughts, intentions and focus. Such focus assists them in turn in taking their own effective action. ('God helps those who help themselves') They also feel strengthened by their belief there is support for their goal which comes from beyond themselves. All of this is as well as the help that does come from this quarter.