1199)  The word, judging, has taken on a very different meaning these days versus what it meant in Jesus’ day.

When someone says, “don’t judge” today, what they are usually referring to is don’t be critical of someone’s actions or state they are wrong.

This definition and those similar to this are not what Jesus is speaking about in Matthew 7. Instead, ‘don’t judge’ meant to determine value.

If we determine the value of someone else, it is often not for their positive value (though this certainly can be true). Jesus tells us we often judge others when the very thing we use to determine their low value is exactly what we do.

Jesus said to measure your own thoughts and actions, removing your planks from your own eyes before you worry about someone else’s sawdust in their eyes.

We are not always good value assessors. Matthew 7:1-2