A plank in my eye!

[Bartholomew Jones]

I think he was talking about counting the cost in the sense of many years of self-criticism at least, and then asking for and undergoing God's judgment, many years, before judging others--"then you will see clearly to (judge)."

 

[DNB]

I think he was talking about counting the cost in the sense of many years of self-criticism at least, and then asking for and undergoing God's judgment, many years, before judging others--"then you will see clearly to (judge)."

I think that he's talking about hypocrisy. For, judging is imperative upon Christians provided that it's done with righteous judgement, and a holy objective. If you deem that a particular action is corrupt, then call it so and make it known to all who either practice it, or may be affected by it, for not to do so, is a sin. It is divinely wise to call a spade, a spade.

But when one's judgment stems from a self-righteous attitude, or is intended to demean or deprecate, then it's time for a little self-introspection. For, just as 'let him who has not sinned, cast the first stone' applies to all, as no man is without sin, also intending to harm or humiliate through one's bigoted and ungrounded judgement, reveals a lot more about the accuser, than the recipient of the slight. There's no need to question at this point, as to who actually has the plank in their eye.

 

[quietthinker]

I think that he's talking about hypocrisy. For, judging is imperative upon Christians provided that it's done with righteous judgement, and a holy objective. If you deem that a particular action is corrupt, then call it so and make it known to all who may be affected by it, for not to do so, is a sin.

But when one's judgment stems from a self-righteous attitude, or is intended to demean or deprecate, then it's time for a little self-introspection. For, just as 'let him who has not sinned, cast the first stone' applies to all, as no man is without sin, also intending to harm or humiliate through one's bigoted and ungrounded judgement, reveals a lot more about the accuser, than the recipient of the slight.

you are right and I am guilty

 

[DNB]

you are right and I am guilty

Very insightful, great perspective!

 

[Bartholomew Jones]

I think that he's talking about hypocrisy. For, judging is imperative upon Christians provided that it's done with righteous judgement, and a holy objective. If you deem that a particular action is corrupt, then call it so and make it known to all who either practice it, or may be affected by it, for not to do so, is a sin. It is divinely wise to call a spade, a spade.

But when one's judgment stems from a self-righteous attitude, or is intended to demean or deprecate, then it's time for a little self-introspection. For, just as 'let him who has not sinned, cast the first stone' applies to all, as no man is without sin, also intending to harm or humiliate through one's bigoted and ungrounded judgement, reveals a lot more about the accuser, than the recipient of the slight. There's no need to question at this point, as to who actually has the plank in their eye.

Would you then agree that a person deeply rooted in hypocrisy should subject himself to self-criticism, then to the hand of divine judgment, for qualification then to judge rightly? And most mature Christians were probably more inclined to judge hypocritically in their spiritual youth, in which case it becomes a person to hold their tongue.

 

[DNB]

Would you then agree that a person deeply rooted in hypocrisy should subject himself to self-criticism, then to the hand of divine judgment, for qualification then to judge rightly? And most mature Christians were probably more inclined to judge hypocritically in their spiritual youth, in which case it becomes a person to hold their tongue.

Outside of the maturity aspect that you brought up in your 2nd statement, the question may be a little too hypothetical? For, one would question the authenticity of another's conviction when they appear to be entirely oblivious to their own sins, which is the thesis of Christian Atonement - a sinner in need of repentance.
But, hypothetically speaking, yes, I would think that such an act of hypocrisy, or any act of sin, has an irony to it - the culprit usually dishes out, what he ultimately deserved in the beginning. So, if one is actually corrigible, he should be judged by those worthy of such a responsibility. He first needs to be exposed, and then made aware of his unacceptable behaviour. And, as you said, directed as to the right behaviour so that he may end up being of value to the Church, as opposed to a detriment.

Yes, it becomes many of us, in various degrees of maturity, to hold our tongues at the appropriate times.

 

[quietthinker]

Yes, it becomes many of us, in various degrees of maturity, to hold our tongues at the appropriate times.

Amen!