Judge Not, Blind Guide

Image: The Parable of the Mote and the Beam, Domenico Fetti c. 1619

He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

~Luke 6: 39-42

This is one of those passages that often challenges us as Christians in the secular world. In Matthew's version, it is accompanied with the famous line “Judge not, lest ye be judged”. We go out into the world (or more often, the comment section) and call out others in their apparent sins, all the while struggling with our own. Doesn't that make us the blind leading the blind?

I’m not so sure. I think that reading the passage this way is dangerous—and wrong. Certainly, Christ calls us to be perfect as His Heavenly Father is perfect, to repent, and to be free from sin. But does this mean we must be entirely free from sin before we can admonish others? I don’t think so—especially when others clearly, defiantly, and publicly live in sin.

Rather, I believe we are called to live out Proverbs 27:17—"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." We are not called to ignore the faults of others, letting them wander blindly simply because we, too, are imperfect. Instead, we should say to one another, “Hey, I’ve got something in my eye; I see that you have something in yours, too. Can you help me, and I’ll help you?” This is what real Christian fraternity (or sorority) looks like—mutual accountability, not hypocrisy.

With Lent approaching, this passage takes on an even greater weight. Lent is a season of removing the beams from our own eyes—a season of penance, purification, and honest self-examination. It is a time to let others sharpen us, challenge us, and call us to something greater, and to do the same for them.

We shouldn't be the blind leading the blind - but that shouldn't stop us from walking hand in hand with others who are blind, guided by the Way, the Truth, and the Life Himself.