Matthew 7.1–5
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce
you will be judged,
and with the measure you use
it will be measured to you.
3 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?
4 Or how can you say to your brother,
‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’
when there is the log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log
out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly
to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
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Judging isn’t new to humanity, and it surely isn’t uniquely American, but it seems as though it has become America’s new “national pastime.” It has become en vogue to point out every flaw, every discrepancy, to become cynical, to be suspicious, and to be in the business of searching for faults in others. Here is what theologian J.C. Ryle says about this judgmental attitude:
What our Lord [is condemning in Matthew 7] is a…fault-finding spirit. A readiness to blame others for trifling offenses, or matters of indifference; a habit of passing rash and hasty judgments; a disposition to magnify the errors and infirmities of our neighbors, and make the worst of them.
It’s not that we make no judgments, but what we aren’t to do is make those judgments when we ourselves are blinded by our own self-righteousness. Our awareness of our own sin is often clouded by a massive two by four in our own eye, and yet we’re acting like we have precision sight to remove a dust particle. It’s hypocrisy at its finest.
A taste of righteousness
is easily perverted into an
overwhelming sense of
self-righteousness
and judgmentalism.
-R. Kent Hughes
If I’m going to do the work of helping someone see the speck in their eye, I first must check to ensure I’m seeing clearly. I must do my own heart work, examining my motive, attitude, and desires, and I need others to help me in this! Am I hoping to show myself as spiritually more mature or wise, or acting as the self-appointed theology or morality police? Do I want others to respect my theological knowledge or my own holiness? Am I confronting or correcting someone so I can impose my convictions or opinions on them?
I should want instead to go in love, gentleness, and a heart that seeks to understand. One that comes alongside as a brother or sister. I should want to be more like a caring doctor than a hard-nosed police officer. The Gospel reminds me that my aim isn’t to win arguments, but to win hearts, and to win those hearts for Jesus, and nothing else.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Matthew 7.1–5
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Just as I Am
Charlotte Elliot, 1877 (Modernized)
Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Your blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
Just as I am, and waiting not,
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To You, whose blood can cleanse each spot
Lamb of God, I come, I come
Lamb of God, I come
Lamb of God, I come, I come
Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am, though tossed about,
With many conflicts, many doubts
Fights and fears within, without
Just as I am, wretched, blind,
Sight and healing of the mind,
Yeah, all I need, in You Iʼll find
Just as I am, You will receive,
Will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because You promise I believe
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Pray Aloud:
Father, help __________
to glorify You in every way.
Reveal Your beauty in _________
as it is in Heaven.
Give _________ daily bread,
and thank You for Your undeserved mercy.
Help us to forgive others.
Keep __________heart soft for You,
for Your Word, for prayer,
and for those that You put in their life,
that they may keep their heart
from evil and sin.
Thank You for Your grace and mercy.
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