Matthew 7:1-6
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults unless, of course, you want the same treatment (Matthew 7:1, The Message).

The Message Bible’s paraphrase of today’s focal text painted a clearer picture of the words of Jesus to us. It reads thus, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging” (vs. 1-2, The Message).

Friend, my conclusion after reading this passage is that we should continue to offer grace to others and give them room to make mistakes. We are all human. We are prone to failures and mistakes in life. Interestingly, none of us is perfect. The more we expect others to be perfect, the more we will experience many imperfections in our lives.

That is why the Bible says we should not “pick on people unless we want the same treatment”. It is good to be less critical and be slow to condemn or judge others. Rather, let our words be seasoned with grace as we continue to encourage one another to become better in Christ Jesus.

When next you are tempted to remove the piece of sawdust from others’ eyes, remember you may be having a wooden beam in your own eye. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself as you have been ministered to.

Song:  Lord, I give You my heart.

Further Reading: Romans 9:16.