Judges 13-15, Luke 6:27-49 • Key Verse: Luke 6:37 Do you know what is the most-quoted Bible verse? I have heard that it is Luke 6:37: “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Those are probably not the exact words of the Bible version you use, but accuracy is not always high on the list of people who quote verses, especially when they quote them to prove a point of their own making. Typically, people use this verse to tell others what they should not do. Jesus did not give us these words to control others but to challenge, us. People tend to be hard on others and lax on themselves. This verse is speaking to that issue. Sadly, it is used on others in that hard way. But that is not the way Jesus intended. Aim this verse at your own heart. You are not to be a censorious person, constantly evaluating everyone and everything around you. God says in Romans 12:17—21 that we are to leave judgment in His hands. There are judgments to be made, and there is to be accountability in the community of believers. Aim for the balance here, not the extremes. The one extreme takes us to letting anything go on without confrontation, which is wrong. The other extreme is the judgmental spirit. It is this second extreme that Jesus was addressing here. Don’t judge others with this verse. Use it on yourself and reap the benefit Jesus promised. “God, help me to challenge myself so that I will be neither a censorious person nor undiscerning, but have the balance You desire.” Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett www.backtothebible.in