Specks, Logs & Other Blind Spots
Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42
October 24, 2004
Matthew 7:1-5 (NLT)
"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. [2] For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. [3] And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? [4] How can you think of saying, ’Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? [5] Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Luke 6:37-42 (NLT)
"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. [38] If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you."
[39] Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. [40] A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher.
[41] "And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? [42] How can you think of saying, ’Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
The Problem With Judging
None of us is qualified
– Romans 3:23
Romans 3:23 (NLT)
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
The Problem With Judging
None of us is qualified
– Romans 3:23
– The standard is perfection
All of us will face judgment
– Before the “perfect” judge - Romans 14:10
Romans 14:10 (NLT)
So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God.
The Problem With Judging
None of us is qualified
– Romans 3:23
– The standard is perfection
All of us will face judgment
– Before the “perfect” judge - Romans 14:10
Our standard of judging is the root of the problem
– The guilty are not qualified to judge – Romans 2:1
Romans 2:1 (NLT)
You may be saying, "What terrible people you have been talking about!" But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things.
The Problem With Judging
None of us is qualified
– Romans 3:23
– The standard is perfection
All of us will face judgment
– Before the “perfect” judge - Romans 14:10
Our standard of judging is the root of the problem
– The guilty are not qualified to judge – Romans 2:1
– By condemning others we condemn ourselves
I Could Use a Little Mercy
You get what you give – Luke 6:37-38
Luke 6:37-38 (NLT)
"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. [38] If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you."
I Could Use a Little Mercy
You get what you give – Luke 6:37-38
– The principle of sowing and reaping – Galatians 6:7
Galatians 6:7 (NLT)
Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!
The Blind Leading The Blind
“Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?”
Luke 6:39b (HCSB)
Diversionary Tactics
The easiest way to remove yourself from the spotlight is to shine it on someone else
– You are the only one who doesn’t acknowledge your own shortcomings
Your judgment neither helps the other person or yourself
– The real problems are not really addressed
Splinter Removal
“Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:5 (HCSB)
The Real Goal
So don’t condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian’s path.
Romans 14:13 (NLT)
**Powerpoint available on request
