I'm Learning (1)

I like to read. I like to learn. But I realised that it is very natural for me to treat the Scripture merely as a piece of information for cerebral stimulation. I feel that it is pointless devouring the Scriptures in depth and in length without taking conscious effort to apply the truth in my life. Furthermore, I realised that I can only apply a lesson (or at most a few) at one go. So, for this period of time, I am learning this:

Esteem not thyself better than others, lest perhaps in the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man, thou be accounted worse than they... It doth no hurt to thee to set thyself lower than all men, but it hurteth thee exceedingly if thou set thyself before even one man. Continual peace is with the humble; but in the heart of the proud is envy and frequent indignation.

Thomas Kempis
Imitation of Christ

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. 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? How 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? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your owe eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Matthew 7:1-5

Commentary from NIV Life Application Study Bible:

Jesus' statement, "Do not judge," is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. It is not a blanket statement against all critical thinking, but a call to be discerning rather than negative.