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Most times, though, we don’t intend to come off as condemning. We think we are simply speaking clearly and directly hoping to straighten the person out. But the root of such an approach is a self-righteous spirit, a feeling of superiority, a feeling that we are all right while others are not.
When we approach others with problems that need to be addressed, we should work very hard to avoid coming across as condescending or condemning. In Galatians 6:1, Paul writes, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” Paul calls us to be gentle with others and humble in respect to ourselves.
If we are not careful, we will become people who are hypercritical, delighting in criticism for its own sake and enjoying it. We will approach everyone and everything expecting to find fault, hoping to find fault. Such people never take the time to understand the circumstances, are never ready to pardon or overlook, and are never ready to exercise mercy in any way.
Jesus has already taught us, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” He will say later, in Matthew 7:12, “Treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” Here, He tells us similarly: “1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2).”
Judge but Don’t Be Hypocritical (vv. 3-5)
Jesus continues His exhortation to avoid judgementalism with an example about a person who critiques someone for having a speck of dust in their eye, but fails to realize there is a log in their own. He is pointing out our own fatal tendency to exaggerate the faults of others and minimize the gravity of our own.
Again, Jesus doesn’t say the speck doesn’t matter or that it is wrong of you to notice it. He is saying that it is wrong to treat the speck like it’s important and the log like it’s no big deal. This is the definition of being a hypocrite.
Hypocrite is a word that often gets used incorrectly. People often treat the word hypocrite as if it means
one sinful person who points out the mistakes of another sinful person. Or we think it means one person pretending they are perfect while pointing out other people’s flaws. The truth is that hypocrisy means applying one standard to yourself and another standard to other people. A hypocrite blames others while excusing themselves. We all do it. We accept our own excuses, because we know our weaknesses. Jesus wants us to do the same for others. That is why He told His followers in Matthew 22:29, “ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus isn’t condemning criticism as such, but rather the criticism of others when we exercise no comparable self-criticism. When we confront our brother, we should do it as a loving brother anxious to rescue and to restore. Early Christian pastor, John Chrysostom said it this way: “Correct him but not as a foe, nor as an adversary exacting a penalty, but as a physician providing medicine.” The speck really is in the brother’s eye. But you will do more damage that good if you try to help him get it out without getting the log out of your eye first.
The answer to hypocrisy is humility. Before we start pointing out other people’s flaws, we should seek help with the stuff in our own lives that we either excuse or maybe even can’t see.
Judge and Be Careful (v. 6)
The last statement in this passage is more controversial and open to being misunderstood. Jesus tells us, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine.” This has left many readers
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