Right Relationships
Matthew 7:1-12
Jesus warned His followers against judging other believers in a hypocritical way. Some kinds of judgment are necessary, but Jesus was warning against unloving, condemning criticism of another person. It is a call to be discerning rather than negative. It does not mean that we should turn a blind eye to people’s faults or refuse to discern between truth and error or good and evil.
Jesus was prohibiting pride that views oneself as better than others. Sometimes we see our own faults in the lives of others and we try to correct the other person, not realizing we are guilty of the same fault. It is easier for us to see their fault, or the “speck” in their eye, more clearly than we can see our own fault or the “plank” in our own eye.
Jesus used humor to get His point across. Jesus may have been thinking of some of the Pharisees who judged the righteousness of others, not realizing their own spiritual faults. Jesus challenged His disciples to help their brother get the “speck” out of his eye, but first they had to make sure they removed the “plank” from their own eye so they could see clearly.
Jesus taught His disciples to show discernment in sharing the holy message with all who would receive it. Some people cannot appreciate what is holy, which is why Jesus admonished His disciples not to throw pearls to swine. They do not know their value and they would only become angry, trample the pearls, and attack the person who threw them. Christians should use loving discernment in deciding when, how, and with whom to share the truths of Christ.
Jesus taught His followers that those who “ask” will receive, those who “seek” will find, and a door will be opened up for those who “knock.”
Jesus did not say that a person would receive what he asked for, but a persistent prayer would bring an answer. He illustrated this by telling them that if a child asks his father for a loaf of bread, his father would not give him a stone. Or, if he asked for a fish, his father would not give him a poisonous snake.
If sinful men know how to give good gifts to their children, certainly our Father in heaven will give good gifts to those who ask for them. We may miss His good gifts because we do not ask for them.
This section ends with the “Golden Rule,” which is meant for believers, not unbelievers. We are to treat others in the same way we would like for them to treat us.
Johnston– Lessons in the BSL series for the fall quarter are being written by Virginia Johnston, a member of First Baptist Church, North Charleston, where her husband Dan is pastor.