Principal's Ponderings

Judge Me Not

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Matthew 7:1-2

There is something deeply human in our tendency to size people up. A passing comment, a difference of opinion or even just someone’s tone of voice, can trigger us to make assumptions. We might not say it aloud, but in our thoughts, we have already formed a judgment: They’re selfish… dramatic… disorganised… rude.

But Jesus calls us to a different way. In Matthew 7, Jesus gives a sobering challenge: “Do not judge.” It is a command that is easy to quote, but harder to live. Why? Because judgment feels like protection. It keeps us in control. It places us in the “right” and others in the “wrong.” But the moment we judge, we stop listening. We stop loving. We stop seeing people as God sees them.

Jesus follows up this command with a powerful image, a person trying to remove a speck from someone else’s eye, all while a plank is sticking out of their own. It is meant to be a little funny, but it also hits home. We are so quick to notice others’ faults, while ignoring our own blind spots.

As a school community, how powerful would it be if we all committed to choosing grace over judgment? Imagine our classrooms, staffroom, and playgrounds filled with people who pause before criticising, who listen before reacting, who forgive before bitterness sets in.

Let us remember, judging others is not our job. 

That role belongs to God, and He is full of mercy, slow to anger and abounding in love. We are called, instead, to reflect His heart: to show compassion, to walk humbly, and to build one another up.

Jesus did not avoid people who were judged harshly by society, He drew near to them. He ate with tax collectors, lifted up the woman caught in adultery, and honoured the outcast. His love broke through the labels. And He invites us to do the same.

So what does it look like to live this out? It might mean giving someone the benefit of the doubt when they are short-tempered. It could be offering support instead of silent disapproval when someone is struggling. It might be reframing our inner thoughts with grace: Maybe they are doing the best they can today. Maybe there is more to their story than I see.

And when we mess up, and we will, we come back to the cross. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save. He offers us mercy, and He calls us to extend that same mercy to others.

Talk about this as a family:

• Talk about a time you felt misunderstood or judged. How did it feel?

• Practice “pausing before judging”, ask, “What else might be going on?”

• Read James 1:19 together: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

• Pray: “Lord, help us to see others through Your eyes, not our own.”

Let’s be a community marked not by judgment, but by understanding, forgiveness, and love.

Shalom shalom,

Chad Smit