"If you want to avoid judgment, stop passing judgment" on others' character and motives (Mt 7:1). If we judge others' character and motives, we will have the same verdict passed on us (Mt 7:2).

"If you want to avoid judgment," judge the morality of others' actions. After repenting of our own sins, we must help others repent (Mt 7:5). This presupposes that we have accurately judged the morality of others' actions. We must correct and warn those who have sinned. Otherwise, we will come under judgment and be held responsible for their deaths (see Ez 3:18; 33:8).

If we want to avoid judgment, we must forgive those who have sinned against us. Otherwise, we will not be forgiven (Mt 6:12), and we will be in no position to reconcile others to the Lord.

In summary, to avoid coming under judgment, we must:

• not judge others' character or motives,
• judge the morality of others' actions,
• repent of our sins,
• correct and warn sinners, and
• forgive others.

By God's grace, we must do all five of these things, or we will be judged. "Avoid judgment" (Mt 7:1).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 28, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 1998