Here Comes da Judge
Matthew 7:4,5 Why do you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.
Okay, so the world is full of imperfect people and yes, the pressure’s rising and yes, we have this tendency to get grumpy with them. But the more that goes on, the uglier it gets. So have you ever wondered what they think of you when you get grumpy with them?
Let’s be honest – the world hates a hypocrite. And, if the truth be known, you and I aren’t all that keen on them either … as long as it’s them out there. I mean, by definition they’re the ones who are the hypocrites, not you or me. Surely not! Hmm.
Have you ever honked your horn at someone for changing lanes in the traffic without warning, without using their indicator? And then, just a few minutes later, you find yourself doing exactly the same thing as them!
I have. Whoops. Hypocrite.
Jesus put it this way: Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you.
But He knew that the hypocrisy in our hearts would be much more difficult to move, that it’d need some much stronger teaching than merely that. So He went on to hit them – and us by the way – right between the eyes with this:
Matthew 7:4,5 Why do you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.
Yeah … you can’t mistake His meaning there, can you?
And the thing I’ve noticed is that when we appoint ourselves as judge, jury and executioner, we’re the ones who spend our lives getting upset. It ruins our lives as much as the next person’s.
And besides … the world hates a hypocrite.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Janet Botros
Dear Ilona, Thanks for contacting us. Herewith are just a few thoughts, on just how Christians should deal with ...
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Dear Ilona,
Thanks for contacting us. Herewith are just a few thoughts, on just how Christians should deal with others.
Yes, the Lord is at pains to teach us not to be judgmental. However, He wants us to be discerning for our own protection in a world which is hostile to the Christian faith. This is brought out in the two quotes below:
Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Charles Simeon comments on this verse, “Now the wisdom of the one and the harmlessness of the other are very desirable to be combined in the Christian character; because it is by such a union only that the Christian will be enabled to cope successfully with his more powerful enemies.”
(Horae Homileticae: Matthew).
Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Here the Lord is teaching us not to waste good things on people who will not appreciate them.
On your question about the difference between judging others and hypocrisy, the Lord answers this in the passage below:
Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Here we are constrained to be humble in our dealings with others, realising that their failings may also be exhibited by us. If we fail to do this, we fall into the category of being hypocrites.
I hope these brief thoughts hit the mark for you.
Ilona Fandrey
This really disturbs me because I believe in Christ Jesus that we do have to judge if it is against the Lord, not as an ...
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This really disturbs me because I believe in Christ Jesus that we do have to judge if it is against the Lord, not as an excuse to sin but to be bold and steadfast in the faith. I know we all have to asked for forgiveness every day and when Christ prompts though. Where is the difference on judging others and being a hypocrite?
carli jones
Oh my goodness! I just read that in my bible THIS morning. And now I get it right between the eyes AGAIN? Great timing, ...
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Oh my goodness! I just read that in my bible THIS morning. And now I get it right between the eyes AGAIN? Great timing, Berni. I need to do some praying about my attitudes. Ouch! xxoo cj