This is the kind of passage where Jesus wants His disciples to be real with themselves. All of us have a natural tendency to compare ourselves to others, especially those who struggle through their Christian life. We say things like "I would never do what they are doing" or inwardly we may think "I must be more spiritual than they are." But Jesus is demanding honesty from His followers helping them to understand that no one has it all figured out and no one is above sin or weakness. With this in mind, Jesus says judge not. Jesus doesn't want believers to compare themselves to others for the purpose of finding themselves better. Jesus is not condemning every type of judging, in fact, just a few verses later He challenges His followers to discern between true and false teaching (vv.15-20); however, He does condemn the kind of judgment that is arrogant and prideful. Verse 1 warns that whatever standard you hold someone else to will be the same standard by which you also will be judged. In other words, you think you are perfect while at the same time pointing out the weaknesses in others. Then Jesus poses a question, as only He can do. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye (vv.3-4)? The imagery is humorous - a guy with a 2x4 sticking out of his eye has the audacity to point out (or sit is judgment) of a speck in someone else's eye. Jesus then calls a person who would do this a hypocrite, which means actor or one who plays a part that is not really himself. Instead of judging others, w should closely examine ourselves first. I'm sure that taking care of our own sin and weaknesses will not leave any time to sit in judgment of others. We need to learn that we are no better than anyone else. All of us have known or unknown things in our lives that need to be sorted out. Let's quit thinking that we're "all that" and other people need to catch up with where we are. Have a humble view of yourself and remember that if you do anything good, it is because of God, not you. Let us not fool ourselves into thinking that we are righteous. Take off your mask of spirituality for long enough to see who you really are.

Matthew 7:1-6