The Way We Think About and Treat Others
Plank Eye Syndrome
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV - (1) "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
OBSERVATION:
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the inner spiritual life. In this part of Matthew 5, He addresses how we perceive and interact with others.
These verses have been interpreted by both groups—those who say, “don’t judge,” and those who say, “judge, but judge the fruit.” What is the correct approach? Both perspectives!
Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV - (1) "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
OBSERVATION:
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the inner spiritual life. In this part of Matthew 5, He addresses how we perceive and interact with others.
These verses have been interpreted by both groups—those who say, “don’t judge,” and those who say, “judge, but judge the fruit.” What is the correct approach? Both perspectives!
We remember that Jesus called for a righteousness that was greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). In the way some people think, the way to make one’s self more righteous is to be more judgmental of others. Jesus here rebuked that kind of thinking. - David Guzik.
The phrase, “Judge not, that you be not judged,” is in the imperative form, meaning it is a command. What is Jesus saying?
"We break this command when we think the worst of others.
We break this command when we only speak to others of their faults.
We break this command when we judge an entire life only by its worst moments.
We break this command when we judge the hidden motives of others.
We break this command when we judge others without considering ourselves in their same circumstances.
We break this command when we judge others without being mindful that we ourselves will be judged." – David Guzik.
We break this command when we only speak to others of their faults.
We break this command when we judge an entire life only by its worst moments.
We break this command when we judge the hidden motives of others.
We break this command when we judge others without considering ourselves in their same circumstances.
We break this command when we judge others without being mindful that we ourselves will be judged." – David Guzik.
Helping our brother with the splinter in his eye isn't wrong, but we must do so knowing we might also have a beam in our own. We are not perfect and never will be. Don’t make them seem inferior to you; instead, humbly and out of love, help your brother.
Don’t let those annoyances, the beams in your own eye, cloud your vision.
Don’t let those annoyances, the beams in your own eye, cloud your vision.
“Jesus is gentle, but he calls that man a ‘hypocrite’ who fusses about small things in others, and pays no attention to great matters at home in his own person.” – Charles Spurgeon.
Matthew 7:6 NKJV - "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
“We might say that Jesus means, ‘Don’t be judgmental, but don’t throw out all discernment either.’” – David Guzik.
APPLICATION:
How can we both judge rightly and maintain discernment? Some rabbis say that God judges with both justice and mercy. Should we not follow this example?
How can we both judge rightly and maintain discernment? Some rabbis say that God judges with both justice and mercy. Should we not follow this example?
“The Christian is called to show unconditional love, but the Christian is not called to unconditional approval. We really can love people who do things that should not be approved of.” – David Guzik.
PRAYER:
Lord, guide me to uphold both justice and mercy in my interactions with others. Help me to love people rightly, even those who do things that shouldn't be tolerated. You came for the lost, the broken, and the sick, not for the self-righteous. May I remember the beam in my own eye while seeing the splinter in others.
Lord, guide me to uphold both justice and mercy in my interactions with others. Help me to love people rightly, even those who do things that shouldn't be tolerated. You came for the lost, the broken, and the sick, not for the self-righteous. May I remember the beam in my own eye while seeing the splinter in others.
Be careful when swinging that plank. You could hit someone with it.
Posted in Matthew