Do not condemn

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged."

There are probably two broad meanings or categories of "judging": (1) positively, judgment could mean discernment or choosing; or coming to know the reality or truth of something; (2) negatively, judgment could mean condemnation, or taking control of others by showing superiority. We need to judge in order to live, but not to condemn. So Jesus in the passage of Matthew 7:1-5 does not mean to stop us from making decisions and coming to true knowledge. In fact that is necessary, and we should judge only in this positive sense of the word. But to condemn others, and sometimes ourselves, Jesus instructs us not to do it.

Self-hatred and self-condemnation, or denial of one's own shadows and blindspots could be the base of our condemnation of others. We unconsciously control others because we live in denial of our own darknesses. Jesus ends this passage by saying, "Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's or sister's eye." In modern terms, as Carl Jung explains: "Take the log out of your own eye" means "Own your own shadow." Often the things that we criticize in others are the very things we need to look within ourselves. Unless we are able to accept, confront, own and integrate the darkness and evil that we possess within ourselves, we will not be able to be transforming agents in this world. Transformed people transform the world. Be the change that you want to see in the world. Only the forgiven can forgive, only the healed can heal, only those who stand daily in need of mercy can offer mercy to others. Only those value love in themselves, will be able to offer love to the world.