GETTING THE LOGS OUT OF OUR EYES

The Danger of Judging Others

We are called to teach everything that Jesus has commanded. We are to differentiate between sin and righteousness. We are to call out false teaching. We are to call the lost to repent of their sins. We are called to confront Christians who have fallen into sin.

Judgment belongs to God, so we shouldn’t take what belongs to Him.

What kind of judging is this condemning? It is condemning us setting the standards by which we judge others. God sets the standards, not us. It is condemning a critical and fault-finding attitude. It is condemning hypocrisy. It is condemning us passing the sentence of condemnation ourselves.

Romans 14:4 “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

See James 4:11–12...

To judge others in an unbiblical way is to invite judgment on ourselves.

“He who usurps the bench, shall be called to the bar.” — Matthew Henry

Romans 2:1–2 “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.”

James 2:13 “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

The Need For Self-Examination

Are you more quick to see the sin in others, or the sin in yourself?

Luke 18:11 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” (See John 8:7)

It is only after humbly dealing with our own sin, that we are ready to help others out of their sin.

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

The Need For a Humble Spirit

If we haven’t dealt with our own sin, we aren’t ready to confront others about their sin.

We must not be hypocrites like the Pharisees, who honored God with their lips but their heart was far from Him. They also elevated their own standards and rules above Scripture, all the while breaking God’s commandments.

See Romans 2:21-24...

We must show kindness and compassion to those in sin, remembering that we are also sinners.

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

Jude 22–23 “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

Our heart should always be for the restoration of our wayward brother or sister.

See Romans 9:1-4...

When Is It Time to Walk Away?

When people reject and revile the truth, there comes a time to walk away and leave them to the Lord.

See Matthew 10:14–15...

Proverbs 9:7–8 “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”

Proverbs 23:9 “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.”