There are passages in Scripture that feel incredibly simple on the surface, yet when we pause long enough, we realize they hold a mirror up to our hearts. Luke 6:37–42 is one of those passages.

Jesus says, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” He continues with the famous image of the speck and the log, reminding us that before we try to point out someone else’s flaw, we must first deal with the one in our own eye.

When I read this passage, I realize how deeply human it is to fall into judgment without even noticing it. Sometimes it happens in the smallest ways—scrolling through social media and shaking our heads at someone’s choices, silently labeling a stranger on the street, or forming assumptions about someone’s life because they live differently from us. Other times, the judgment is much harsher, especially when someone’s beliefs, behaviors, or lifestyle goes against what we value as Christians.

But Jesus’ words do not invite us into silence or complacency; rather, they invite us into deeper humility—into a posture where we first examine what is within us before we speak about what we see around us. He calls us to step into a gentler way of seeing others, one that reflects His heart rather than our instincts.

In this blog, I want to share three gentle, honest reflections that have helped me navigate this passage. My prayer is that these reflections will help you breathe deeper, love wider, and reflect the heart of Christ more intentionally in a world that is quick to judge and slow to understand.

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1. We Judge Quickly Because It’s Easier Than Examining Our Own Hearts

One reason Jesus speaks so directly about judgment is because He knows how natural it is.

Judging others often feels easier than confronting ourselves. When we see someone doing something we disagree with or living a lifestyle different from ours, our human tendency is to make quick conclusions. It may not come from a malicious heart but simply from instinct, culture, past experiences, or the standards we grew up with.

Social media has also made this habit stronger. We watch short clips of people’s lives—seconds taken out of context—and suddenly we feel like we know their full story. If someone posts something provocative, revealing, loud, or messy, we form narratives and judgments in our minds without warning. If someone is dressed differently from what we deem “appropriate,” or if someone appears drunk on the street, our minds instantly categorize them. “This person is irresponsible.” “This one is not living right.”

Yet Jesus pauses us here. He says gently, “Why are you worried about the speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” He is not belittling us; He is inviting us into truth. Sometimes the very areas we judge in others are the same areas we quietly struggle with. Sometimes our judgment comes from insecurity, comparison, pain, or fear. And sometimes, without realizing it, judgment becomes a way for us to feel morally superior or spiritually “better.”

Jesus never asked us to pretend that sin does not exist. But He does ask us to start from the right place. Before we look outward, we must first look inward. When we begin to examine our own hearts, we often discover that what we thought was righteousness was actually pride, and what we thought was discernment was actually criticism.

His invitation is not to shame us but to free us—from the heaviness of comparison, from the burden of self-righteousness, from the weight of believing we need to be the moral police of the world. He reminds us that growth begins with personal honesty, and transformation begins with humility.

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2. Only God Sees the Heart, So Our Role Is Not to Judge But to Love

It is important to acknowledge that people come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Not everyone we meet will live according to the same spiritual convictions we hold, and even among Christians, there are varying levels of maturity, personality, and understanding. Some people look far from God on the outside but carry kindness and compassion in ways that may surprise us. Others may not have a religion at all yet show generosity that reflects God’s heart more than some believers do.

That truth humbles me every time.

When Jesus tells us not to judge, He is not saying, “Pretend everything is fine.” Instead, He is saying, “You are not the judge; I am.” He sees the full story. He knows the wounds we cannot see, the battles others are fighting silently, the upbringing that shaped their choices, and the unseen reasons behind their struggles. What we observe from the outside is only a small part of the entire picture, while God sees the whole tapestry.

He invites us to reflect His heart—not by acting as the moral authority over people, but by becoming vessels of compassion, patience, and truth spoken in love. Our call is not to condemn but to shine. Not to label but to embrace. Not to tear down but to encourage. Not to shame but to point others toward a Savior who never turned away the broken, the sinful, the confused, or the lost.

Because at the end of the day, all of us fall short of the glory of God.

All of us need grace. All of us need the continuous transforming work of the Holy Spirit. And often, the people who seem “the farthest” from God are the ones He is drawing to Himself quietly, steadily, and lovingly.

If we focus too much on judging others, we may miss the very work that God is doing in them. More importantly, we may miss the work God wants to do in us.

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3. Instead of Judging Others, Let’s Use These Moments to Examine Our Own Light

When we feel the urge to judge someone, it is often a sign that God wants to speak to us about our own heart. Every time we notice someone else’s flaws, preferences, or differences, it becomes an opportunity for self-reflection. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with this person?” we can humbly ask, “Lord, what are You trying to show me in my own life?”

Ask yourself:

• Is there pride in me that I have not surrendered?
• Is there hidden impatience toward people who are not like me?
• Is my heart becoming critical rather than compassionate?

Sometimes the reason God allows us to see flaws in others is not so we can judge them but so we can grow ourselves. Maybe He wants to soften our hearts. Maybe He wants to strengthen our patience. Maybe He wants to deepen our understanding of grace. Or maybe He wants to remind us that we ourselves are still being transformed every day.

Instead of judgment, may our hearts choose reflection. Instead of criticism, may we choose compassion. And instead of pointing fingers, may we point others to Jesus—the only One who can truly change a person’s heart.

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Final Encouragement

In a world that moves quickly and judges easily, choosing compassion can feel countercultural. But this is exactly the kind of life Jesus calls us into: a life where we see through the lens of grace, where we pause before we speak, and where we remember that we ourselves are still a work in progress. As we grow in humility, we reflect Him more clearly. As we let go of judgment, we make space for transformation—both in ourselves and in others.

May we become people who are known not for our criticism but for our kindness, not for our assumptions but for our understanding, not for our harshness but for our humility. And may we always remember that the same grace God offers us every day is the same grace He invites us to extend to those around us.

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Stay Inspired and Grow in Grace