Matthew 7:1-5

Robert Bernard
Dec 6, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Dec 15, 2024

A Davidian Lesson by Coach Robert

TYPE: Maneuver

The 3 Types of Lessons: Skill, Maneuver, & Tools

What is Skill in basketball?

Skill is knowledge that allows you to solve a problem.

What are Maneuvers in basketball?

Physical actions that serve a purpose on the court (i.e. hesitate or counter uphill/downhill).

What are Tools in basketball?

A skill and maneuver combined

The Davidian Process:

Instructions: Follow the 3 Tenets and complete the Davidian Worksheet at the bottom of this lesson.

(click the red terms to jump to each tenet):

LEARN | PRACTICE | APPLY

~ LEARN ~

1st Tenet: Identify the purpose of the maneuver(s)

The Purpose:

The intended purpose of judging someone is to be judged in the same way.

More Insight on Learning

A young kid who should still think purely about themselves and their endeavors is fully aware of the social stigma of "missing in front of people." Do you understand why? Can you see the problem in this?

^ back to top

~ PRACTICE ~

2nd Tenet: Do the maneuver(s)

I heard a sixth grader call an NBA player terrible.

I turned to them and said, "The only thing terrible in basketball is believing someone to be terrible." Believe that.

There’s a truth in basketball—and in life—that cuts deep. Many of us are so self-conscious about how we’re perceived on the court that we’d rather shrink than risk judgment. We’d rather avoid taking a shot than miss one in front of peers. Why? Because people judge, and harshly so.

But here’s the catch: those who judge are no true authority. Their opinions aren’t worth the gum stuck under their sneakers.

The True Authority

God is the authority. In this case, the Basketball God.

It’s not up to peers, coaches, parents, or social media warriors to declare who will succeed or fail in this game. I’ve witnessed the quiet, unassuming students of the game—those overlooked, ridiculed, and dismissed—rise to extraordinary heights. They became not just great players, but professionals, role models, and millionaires in their chosen fields.

And those who judged them? They often stagnated, both in basketball and in life, trapped by their own small-mindedness and bitterness.

The Damage of Judgment

Calling someone "terrible" in basketball—or in anything—is more than just words. It’s a reflection of one’s own insecurities. People who belittle others often feel small inside. They project their low self-esteem onto others, but this behavior is harmful, even criminal, to the spirit of the game.

Basketball is suffering because of this toxic culture. Players judge one another relentlessly. Trainers on social media craft highlight reels that make others feel inadequate. Pickup games turn into ego battles where missed shots spark gossip. Even referees, the stewards of the game, sometimes carry this judgmental spirit.

This isn’t basketball. This is small-minded behavior masquerading as competition.

A Call to Repentance

If you’ve ever called someone terrible at basketball, it’s time to repent—not for their sake, but for yours. Each time you judge, you weaken your own spirit. Life—and basketball—is much bigger than a careless insult thrown in the heat of a moment.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1-5 remind us:

“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.”

In basketball, as in life, we must walk through the narrow gate. The broad gate is crowded with scoffers and critics, but the narrow path calls us to be students, learners, and lovers of the game.

Restore the Art of Basketball

Basketball isn’t meant to be a battlefield of egos. It’s an art form, a dance, a pursuit of mastery. When we choose judgment over growth, we strip the game of its soul.

So, what’s the solution?

See others as learners. Every missed shot is a lesson, not a failure.
Play with love. Commit to serving others on the court, not tearing them down.
Be yourself. Stop playing for the approval of others.