There is a story in the bible, where the Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus, who was caught committing adultery (John 8:1-11). The laws of the time said that this woman should be stoned to death. The Pharisees knew the laws but they wanted to test Jesus to see what he would say. So they presented this woman to Jesus, basically asking Him if she should be punished or not.
The Pharisees knew the knew that this woman had committed a crime (sin). But because of the way Jesus had been teaching they knew that He wouldn't condemn her to death. In their minds, they were asking Him a trick question. They wanted to use His answer against Him. In a sense they wanted to trick Him into breaking the law.
The Pharisees didn't really know who they were talking to. Jesus had more wisdom than all of them put together. Jesus' response was brilliant, he said to them, if there is any man here who has never sinned let him throw the first stone. Which made them think. It forced them to look into the mirror at themselves. And one by one they began walking away.
There is a lesson in this for all of us. The Pharisees were passing judgement on this woman because of what she had done. But none of them were blameless. The same goes for us, we are all born sinners. We have all done things that we shouldn't have done or things that we are not proud of.
Eventually everyone left and there was only the woman and Jesus left. Jesus never judged her, he just told her to go and sin no more. Which is what He does for us all, we are all given the chance to change and live a better life. So, if He is not passing judgement on us, why should we pass judgement on those around us.
The Pharisees were like most people, living in glass houses and throwing stones. What's going to happen when somebody throws a stone back at you? We often judge others because we consider their sin worst than ours. But in God's eyes it is all the same, sin is sin. So, instead of looking down on each other, let's love on and uplift one another. It would be more helpful to share what God has released you from. Even if we haven't dealt with the same thing we have all had to deal with something. No one's perfect.
Let's all try not to pass judgement on each other. Look in the mirror first and share how God has helped you, so that others know that God can help them.
Matthew 7:1-5 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Luke 6:37-42 37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 39He also told them this parable: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. 41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.