Let’s hold some folks accountable!!
Matthew 7:5
Matthew 7:1–6 (ESV)
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."
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."
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."
This Verse is a little confusing!
· Does Jesus start out this section by saying “Do not judge” (verse 1), but end it by saying that we can judge after all (verse 5)—on the condition that there is no plank in our eye?
· The obvious question follows: Who can say they have no plank in their eye?
· Furthermore, will there not be those who take advantage of this, claiming they have no plank, and are therefore qualified to judge?
· If this is a scenario that Jesus is allowing, all you have to do to qualify to judge is to say, “I no longer have a plank, therefore I am qualified to sort you out.”
· Are we to believe that this is what Jesus is teaching?
o If so, we are back to square one. We all go back to pointing the finger—because we have removed the plank!
But wait a minute. We defined judging as uncalled-for criticism.
· In this case, no one ever is qualified to do this! Uncalled-for criticism can never be a right thing to do.
· But just what if it's not uncalled for or unwanted??
Why is this verse so important??
This is a delicate teaching we have to sort out.
· It is important, first, because we all face unjust situations every day.
· How long do you tolerate a wrong?
· How long do you let people take unfair advantage of you?
· There comes a time when we feel we must speak out! But we are told not to judge.
· Yet Matthew 7:5 hints that we can apparently judge if we have no plank in our eye.
· Who is bold enough to say they have no plank? Therefore, who can step in and speak out?
· Who has the right to speak truth in to your life?
· Who has the right to hold you accountable??
Second, this verse is surely saying at least one of two things:
· (1)No one ever gets rid of the plank; therefore, no one can ever judge.
· (2) One can get rid of the plank. Then, and only then, can you judge another person.
· But uncalled-for criticism is never a valid option—that’s for sure.
· Is there a little flexibility here that, maybe, somewhere in between these two principles is room for judging?
So what is Jesus trying to tell us???
The clear motive of Jesus in this teaching is to help us in a difficult situation.
What Jesus wants to do, by giving us this statement, is to show a way forward.
· This comes as a little surprise.
· Jesus never says we should not help one another or deny whatever is in the person that is clearly wrong
· As a matter a fact, He tells us how to deal with a brother or sister who has sinned against us!
Matthew 18:15–17 (NIV)
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over."
16 "But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ "
17 "If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
There is another verse we have to consider.
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
In Matthew 7:5, Jesus is promoting honesty and humility, but nonetheless is offering help in situations where things are wrong, where something needs to be said. There comes a time when someone must speak out. Jesus is aware that there are times when someone must step in, that it would be irresponsible not to. There is a way forward. This verse is intended to help in this kind of situation.
So what do we do first??
What do you do first, before anything else?
· Jesus used this word “first” before this: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).
· This verse actually corresponds with Matthew 7:5. Having the right spirit toward another is paramount.
· And do not forget Matthew 6:33: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
· So with our present verse: “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
· If, therefore, we want to help where there is a need, and to speak up against injustice or step in where someone is needed, remember that it is more important to get it right in ourselves than to sort out others.
· It is more important to judge ourselves—to recognize the plank in our eye—before we proceed. We’ve all sinned.
· Also keep in mind Paul’s words to Timothy: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Approximately and Accommodatingly
I believe that this verse must be applied, not absolutely, but in two ways:
· Approximately and accommodatingly.
· If you were to apply Jesus’ teaching absolutely, then nobody would ever be qualified to judge, for we all have planks in our eyes.
· Jesus is not saying here that the removal of the plank is possible.
· That would be to teach sinless perfection, allowing a self-righteous person to point the finger.
But I believe we can apply His teaching approximately. (a little bible study)
· This means “almost exact, but not completely so.”
o This is the way the Greek teleioi (“be perfect”) is to be understood in Matthew 5:48.
o It means maturity, not absolute perfection.
· Matthew 7:5 can likewise be interpreted, not absolutely, but approximately.
o This would not require the obliteration of the plank in order to correct another, but of the refusal to dish out uncalled-for criticism.
o A rule of thumb is that the one who is hardest on himself can often be the hardest on others—but the one who is humbly aware of his own weakness, and is not dishing out uncalled-for criticism, is more likely to help another.
o He won’t moralize, but encourage.
o He will engage in a ministry of reconciliation and restoration.
o When he finds another brother or sister overtaken in a weakness, he will attempt to restore that person in a spirit of meekness and gentleness, knowing his own vulnerabilities.
So what does all this mean??
· It means you have to understand and be aware of your own sin!
· You have to be humble knowing you're not perfect.
· You have to be meek in your approach.
· You have to go in with the heart of your savior!
Matthew 7:5 cannot be fulfilled absolutely but approximately.
· The person who comes lovingly to restore another:
o (1) Knows all too well he or she has a plank;
o (2) Is painfully aware of his or her weakness;
o (3) Is likely to succeed, whereas a meddler would fail, and
o (4) Is likely to be welcomed, whereas the meddler would be rejected.
Key ingredients to helping others!
You can’t be emotionally attached.
Follow Galatians 6:1 when approaching another who needs help.
· First, you must never be emotionally involved in the person’s life you are trying to help.
· If there is a danger of emotional involvement, mark it down—you are not the person to engage in this delicate ministry of restoration.
· But if you are not personally involved, and won’t get churned up, just maybe you can help.
· In a word: If your own self-esteem, ego and pride are not ingredients, you may do some good.
· This means that you must be sympathetically detached.
· This is true of any professional counselor.
· You care about the person you are trying to help, but you cannot be fixated on the person who needs correction.
· You must never moralize, punish or give a guilt trip—that is always uncalled for.
· Furthermore, if there is the slightest hint of your being involved in a vendetta regarding the person who needs correction, your efforts will explode in your face.
The ultimate reason you step in is to HONOR GOD'S NAME
It’s like delicate surgery! (You're invited to the party) (Accommodatingly)
· This means you are willing to accommodate because you are invited—they have come to you.
· Far from being a meddler, you are brought into the situation.
· A meddler is always unwelcome.
· But if you are brought into the situation and show compassion, you are far more likely to be welcomed.
· When you did not initiate the encounter, but are brought in, chances are you also will be impartial, show objectivity, aren’t personally involved, and will not be churned up.
Can I approach someone sinning??
· Maybe.
· But only if there has been a relationship of mutual trust.
· In this case, you might, just maybe (but with fear and trembling), seek to correct a person.
Be careful not to abuse your privilege to help!
· Let’s face it, this interpretation of Matthew 7:5 can be abused.
· Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
· Self-righteous people (who have no sense of sin), will be pointing the finger right and left.
· No one can judge absolutely, but one can be accommodating.
o This means a delicate operation equal to a surgeon operating on someone’s eye: You approach the person with extreme caution.
o When you apply Matthew 7:5 in this approximate sense, it will require that you have a sense of sin (knowing you still have a plank) as you seek to remove the speck.
o But judging at this stage could not be called uncalled-for criticism, but rather a gentle suggestion.
o One must be loving and caring. It must show in your eyes.
· Jesus never tells us how to remove the plank.
o This is because, in the absolute sense, it is not possible.
o The full removal of the plank comes only when we are glorified in heaven (Romans 8:30; 1 John 3:2–3).
o But if we pay attention to our own plank the whole time we are trying to help another person, we will not likely be meddling or pointing the finger.
o We would be fulfilling Galatians 6:1—restoring a person gently, considering ourselves in case the same situation happens to us.
o I believe, therefore, we would be able to help another person with their “speck” without violating Matthew 7:1.
When do you rule yourself out as being the one who performs this delicate surgery?
· This requires painful honesty on our part.
· First, when your nose is out of joint, you have to back off quickly.
o If something or someone gets your “goat” ,and you are churned up, stay out!
· Second, when you are personally involved, even if there is an injustice, you are disqualified to help.
· Third, when your desire is to see the other person punished, and you want to get even, you must stay away—miles away.
· Fourth, when there is the slightest tinge of envy or jealousy, keep out of the situation.
· Fifth, when your self-esteem is related, you must graciously disqualify yourself from being the restorer.
How do you know you are qualified to judge in the sense I have outlined above?
· If you are meeting an undoubted need, and have embraced the principles I’ve outlined, proceed.
· If you would be irresponsible not to speak, get involved if you are in a position to relieve suffering.
· When you have been asked to help because there is no personal interest on your part, you should seek to restore.
· When you are at total peace, and have no inward churning or agitation, carry on.
· When the unquestioned honor of God is at stake, you have a duty to do what you can.
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