The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections
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Jun 17
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
Matthew 7:1
"Judge not, that you be not judged"
The Danger of a Critical Spirit
Like a hand reaching toward its own reflection, Jesus' words invite us to pause and see what is within us before we speak about what is within someone else.Jesus said, "Do not judge others."
The Holy Spirit is the only one in the discerning position to criticize. He alone is able to point out what is wrong in a person without causing undue harm.
Criticism serves to make us cruel and leaves us with the soothingly false idea that we are superior to others.
The Lord reminds us that we should cultivate a character that does not include criticism. This may be difficult, but we must be constantly aware of anything that causes us to think we are superior to others.
If you see, notice, or point out, a speck in someone else's eye, you can rest assured — you have a plank in your own eye. Every wrong we see in someone else, God will discover the same in us.
So every time we judge another, we are condemning ourselves. There is always a totally unknown factor in the other person's life that we are unaware of. If we criticize another, the first thing God will do is give us an extensive spiritual examination.
When God examines us, He will show us the truth — about our self.
And in that truth, we will see hope and room to grow.
We also see the plank we never noticed, and the mercy that removes it.
So do not judge.
Hold up the mirror instead.
Let the Holy Spirit show you what only He can see.
And when He does, you will discover this beautiful truth:
every soul is still being shaped, including your own.
Prayer
Lord, You see me. Examine every place inside of me.
Show me the plank in my own eye.
Remove the critical spirit within me.
Help me see my own faults.
Cleanse me and make me whole.
Grow in me a character without criticism.
Help me see others as you see them —
always being shaped, always being improved.
Help me to show mercy and grace towards others,
as You show it to me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Selah,
~ Quil
Scripture References
Matthew 7:1–5 — Jesus warns that judging others blinds us to our own faults.
Luke 6:37 — Do not judge or condemn; forgive and you will be forgiven.
Romans 2:1 — When you judge others, you condemn yourself because you do the same things.
Romans 14:10–13 — Stop passing judgment; each of us will stand before God.
James 4:11–12 — Only God is Judge; criticizing others puts us in His place.
Galatians 6:1 — Restore others gently, remembering your own weakness.
1 Corinthians 4:5 — Leave judgment to the Lord, who reveals hidden motives.
Proverbs 21:2 — We think we’re right, but God weighs the heart.
Proverbs 16:2 — A person’s ways seem pure, but God examines motives.
1 Samuel 16:7 — People look at outward appearance; God looks at the heart.
John 7:24 — Judge with righteous judgment, not by appearances.
Ephesians 4:29 — Speak only what builds up and gives grace.
Ephesians 4:31–32 — Put away bitterness and be kind and forgiving.
Psalm 139:23–24 — Ask God to search your heart and reveal hidden faults.
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