No one like to be judged. How often have you heard someone say, “don’t judge me”? Jesus makes us think about the importance of how we judge others. What criteria are we using? Would we hold up to the same scrutiny? We will be measured or judged by the same measure that we use. Are we prepared for that?

We also need to make sure our house is clean before we point out someone else for their flaws. Jesus uses the crazy example of someone with a log in their eye noticing a speck of dirt in someone else’s eye. That is the definition of hypocrisy. A Christian has to be careful to watch out for themselves and make sure we are doing the right things. The world is watching and will be quick to point out when we are being hypocritical.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus talks about the fruit we bear next. It is important that we bear the right kind of fruit. We must produce what grows from the gospel. What we produce is a reflection of what we value in our hearts. What is planted in our hearts. When things happen to us how do we respond? If on trial for following Christ, would we be found guilty? We must plant the seed of the gospel in our heart and let it grow weeding out anything else that might try and compete.

When we do this it provides us a firm foundation to build a life. We stand strong no matter the circumstances around us. We know who we are and whose we are. If we don’t put into practice what Christ teaches, we have no foundation. Our world will crumble and fall. We have nothing to stand on and no place to turn. Let’s build our spiritual house on the teachings of Christ and stand strong in the world around us.