Matthew 7:1
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2 For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite! First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Don’t criticize!
‘If there’s one thing I just cannot stand it’s those people who are always poking their noses into other people’s affairs. Do-gooders!
‘They’re always trying to put you right – according to their ideas.
‘In fact, I don’t mind telling you, if anyone needs to be put right it’s usually them – as I often point out.
‘Take that woman next door for instance – just between the two of us. Oh, of course, you’re new in the neighbourhood; but take it from me, she ought to take a good look at herself.
‘But look, I really haven’t the time now. Must fly! Why don’t you drop in for a cup of coffee some time and I can tell you some things about the people in this street that will be a real eye-opener.
‘What’s that? Me? What do you mean, “God will judge me with the standards I apply to other people?” Well really! I always say that if we all lived according to the Sermon on the Mount the world would be a better place.
‘And I’d like to see anyone who could show me how to improve. They’d have to be pretty near perfect.
‘I beg you pardon? What’s that you said? Oh! Jesus is.’
David Juler lectured in English language and literature and teaching studies at Burwood Teachers College.