Rejecting Hypocrisy

Jesus' teaching on 'judge not' isn't about avoiding all judgment, but rather avoiding hypocrisy in how we evaluate others. Using the metaphor of a log in our own eye while trying to remove a speck from another's, Jesus challenges us to address our own issues before criticizing others. This teaching confronts our tendencies toward self-centeredness, selfishness, and narcissism. When we align with Jesus' kingdom, we apply the same standards to ourselves that we use for others, approaching everyone with humility rather than superiority.