Have you ever looked down on someone when their sin is revealed and becomes public? In your heart do you judge them, thinking of how horrendous their actions were even as they proclaim themselves to be Christian? In some cases you may even agree that you are somewhat susceptible to the same sin that had been revealed in their life, but maybe to a lesser degree. Well Paul warns against this behavior. Actually, Jesus does too when he tells us to take the plank out of our eye if we find ourselves trying to take the speck out of someone else’s – referring to pointing out someone else’s sin without acknowledging our own. But Paul says in Romans 2 verse 1:
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
This is a very serious verse. When we see someone sin or act in a way that we think a Christian shouldn’t act, we need to put down our stones and be slow to pass judgment. Because if we don’t, we could be condemning ourselves if we do, or have done, the same things that they have done. I know it can be hard, but we must heed this warning. Passing judgment on someone else is a serious error. First, we don’t have the authority to, and second because we are sinners ourselves and are susceptible to the same sin that they are accused of. So, I challenge you to remember that next time you get on a high horse. Always err on the side of humility and mercy.
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Do not pass judgment on someone else. Because at whatever point you judge someone, you are condemning yourself. I believe that we should spend our time focusing on perfecting our own walk, while remembering that we are all sinners. And since we all sin, and because only God has authority, He is the only one qualified to pass judgment. So be careful. This is a very scary verse. In another place in scripture, Paul does say that we should point out sin in the church. But helping to correct someone in love, not judgment, is the only way. And even with that, I’d rely only on the leading of the Spirit to direct you. You do not want to find yourself on the wrong side of God’s mercy.