Take the Log Out of Your Own Eye
February 21, 2022
Commentary
Next, Jesus addresses the matter of judging and hypocrisy (v. 1). The Pharisees were judging Jesus because He was not offering the kind of kingdom they anticipated or the kind of righteousness they were exhibiting. Jesus was not condemning all judgment. Taking everything at face value results in confusion. But we are not to judge the inner motives of others. Judgment must begin with us. The Pharisees condemned other people but never considered that God would judge them (v. 2). The purpose of self-judgment is to prepare us to serve others. The Pharisees criticized others to make themselves look good. Jesus used his illustration of a man with a log in his eye trying to remove a speck from another’s eye (vv. 3-5). If we don’t face our own sin, we won’t see clearly enough to help others. We shouldn’t give what is holy to dogs or caste our pearls before swine (v. 6). In other words, don’t waste your time teaching holy concepts to those who will not listen.
Three words, ask, seek and knock, suggest perseverance and frequency in prayer (v. 7). God promises to answer prayer that is genuine, fervent, and continual (v. 8). God promises to supply everything we need for spiritual success, leaving us with no excuse for failure. He doesn’t give us stones or snakes when we ask for food (vv. 9-10). If evil people know how to give good things to their children, how much more will the Father give good gifts to us when we ask in faith (v. 11)? Verse 12 is commonly referred to as “the Golden Rule” and is one of the most misunderstood statements in the Bible. It is not God’s plan of redemption. A person’s righteous acts do not save him but when he is saved, he is then able to demonstrate true righteousness toward others. Practicing “the Golden Rule” releases the love of God in our lives and makes it possible for us to help others, even when they want to hurt us.
Application
Have I been guilty of trying to judge another person when I had things in my own life that needed to be judged? How would I recommend approaching people who need help or correction?
Matthew 7:1– 12 (NET)
1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. 3 Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? 5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.