Examining Our Hearts: Grace Over Judgment
Summary
In our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we have arrived at a pivotal point where Jesus addresses the essence of our actions, particularly in the realm of relationships. He challenges us to examine not just what we do, but why we do it. The heart behind our actions is paramount. A good deed tainted by impure motives is rendered impure itself. Today, we delve into Matthew 7, where Jesus instructs us on the perils of judgment and the importance of self-examination before we attempt to correct others.
Jesus begins with a clear command: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." This is not a prohibition against discernment or the necessary judgments required for legal matters or personal safety. Rather, it is a warning against the harsh, critical spirit that presumes to know the hearts of others and sets itself up as their judge. When we judge others harshly, we invite the same measure upon ourselves. We must recognize that we are all flawed and in need of grace.
The parable of the speck and the plank illustrates the hypocrisy that Jesus condemns. We are often quick to point out minor faults in others while ignoring our own glaring issues. This does not mean we should ignore the faults of others entirely; Jesus later teaches that we should help our brothers and sisters by pointing out their faults in a spirit of love and humility, after we have addressed our own. This is the essence of being a brother or sister in Christ—caring enough to confront, but only after self-reflection and correction.
Jesus also warns us not to cast our pearls before swine. This is not a call to withhold the gospel from those who need it, but rather a recognition that there are times when the message of salvation will be rejected despite repeated offerings. In such cases, we must be discerning and not waste what is sacred. However, our default should be patience and grace, reflecting the patience and grace God has shown us.
For those who do not yet know Jesus, the call is to repentance and faith. Without the Holy Spirit, living a life free from judgment and hypocrisy is impossible. For believers, we are called to examine ourselves: do we need to seek forgiveness for being judgmental or hypocritical? Is there someone we need to forgive? And importantly, is there someone we can lovingly help to grow in their faith?
Key Takeaways:
- God calls us to examine the motives behind our actions, ensuring that our good deeds are not performed for self-glorification but out of a genuine desire to please Him. When our hearts are aligned with God's, our actions reflect His love and grace. [01:14]
- Judging others harshly sets us up for judgment. Instead, we must approach others with the same grace we have received from God. This does not mean abandoning discernment but rather separating the act of critique, which is constructive, from criticism, which is destructive. [12:26]
- The parable of the speck and the plank teaches us to address our own faults before correcting others. This self-examination leads to humility and effectiveness in helping our brothers and sisters in Christ. [16:18]
- We must be discerning in sharing the gospel, recognizing when our message is rejected. However, our default should always be to offer the message of salvation with patience and grace, trusting God to work in the hearts of those we encounter. [21:18]
- For those who have not yet accepted Christ, the first step is to receive Him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. For believers, we must continually ask ourselves if we need to seek or offer forgiveness and identify those whom we can support in their spiritual growth. [23:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:1-6
- Matthew 18:15
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"? How does this relate to our relationships with others? ([02:28])
2. In the parable of the speck and the plank, what is Jesus illustrating about our tendency to judge others? ([02:28])
3. What does Jesus mean by not casting pearls before swine? How does this relate to sharing the gospel? ([20:01])
4. According to Matthew 18:15, what steps should we take if a brother or sister sins against us? How does this align with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7? ([18:12])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to examine our own motives before judging others? How does this self-examination lead to humility? ([01:14])
2. How can we differentiate between constructive critique and destructive criticism in our interactions with others? ([08:11])
3. What does it mean to be a brother or sister in Christ when it comes to addressing the faults of others? How should we approach this task? ([18:12])
4. How should we respond when our message of salvation is repeatedly rejected? What does Jesus' teaching about pearls and swine suggest about our approach? ([20:01])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you judged someone harshly. How could you have approached it differently with grace and humility? ([02:28])
2. Think about a time when you pointed out someone else's fault without addressing your own. How can you practice self-examination before offering critique in the future? ([02:28])
3. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive for being judgmental or hypocritical? How can you take steps towards reconciliation this week? ([25:00])
4. Identify a person you can support in their spiritual growth. How can you approach them with love and humility to help them address their faults? ([26:12])
5. Have you ever felt discouraged when sharing the gospel because it was rejected? How can you remain patient and gracious, trusting God to work in their hearts? ([20:01])
6. How can you ensure that your good deeds are performed with pure motives, aiming to please God rather than seeking self-glorification? ([01:14])
7. Reflect on 1 Thessalonians 5:14. How can you balance warning those who are lazy with encouraging the timid, caring for the weak, and being patient with everyone? ([26:47])
Devotional
Day 1: Motives Matter in Deeds
True goodness flows from a heart aligned with God. When actions are performed with the right motives, they become a reflection of divine love and grace. It is essential to examine why one engages in good deeds. Are these actions done for self-glorification or out of a genuine desire to serve and please God? The purity of one's intentions determines the spiritual quality of their deeds. When the heart is pure, even the simplest acts of kindness shine with the light of God's love, touching lives and reflecting His glory. This introspection ensures that one's service is not tainted by the desire for human approval but is offered as a sincere expression of faith and love for the Creator. [07:40]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7
Reflection: Consider a recent good deed you have done. Was it for God's glory or your own? How can you ensure your future actions are aligned with the right motives?
Day 2: Grace in Judgment
Judgment is a delicate matter that requires grace and humility. It is not about avoiding discernment but about approaching others with the same grace one has received from God. Critique, when done constructively, can foster growth and understanding, while criticism, especially when harsh and without love, can be destructive and breed resentment. The measure one uses to judge others will be the measure used against them. Therefore, it is crucial to temper judgments with mercy and to remember that everyone, including oneself, is in need of grace. [12:26]
"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law." - James 4:11
Reflection: Recall a time when you judged someone harshly. How can you approach similar situations in the future with grace and humility?
Day 3: Self-Examination Before Correction
The parable of the speck and the plank teaches the importance of self-examination before attempting to correct others. It is easy to become preoccupied with the faults of others while overlooking one's own shortcomings. True humility and effectiveness in helping others grow come from a place of personal reflection and correction. By addressing one's own issues first, one can approach others with empathy and a genuine desire to assist rather than judge. [16:18]
"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?" - Matthew 7:3
Reflection: What 'planks' in your own life need addressing before you can help others with their 'specks'?
Day 4: Discernment in Sharing the Gospel
Sharing the gospel requires discernment to recognize when the message is being rejected and when to persist in offering it. It is not about withholding the good news but about understanding the appropriate time and manner to share it. Patience and grace should be the default approach, mirroring the patience and grace God has shown. Trusting God to work in the hearts of those encountered is paramount, even when the message is not immediately received. [21:18]
"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." - Matthew 7:6
Reflection: How can you practice discernment in sharing your faith while maintaining a posture of grace and patience?
Day 5: Repentance, Forgiveness, and Spiritual Growth
The journey of faith involves continual repentance, forgiveness, and support for spiritual growth. For those who have not yet accepted Christ, the first step is to receive Him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Believers must regularly examine their hearts to seek and offer forgiveness and to identify those they can support in their spiritual journey. This process of introspection and action strengthens one's faith and fosters a supportive community of believers. [23:55]
"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." - Galatians 6:1
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from today? How can you support someone in their spiritual growth this week?
Quotes
- "A good thing done with a wrong motive is a bad thing. It's not the thing, it's the motive behind it." [01:14] (Download | )
- "When you set yourself up as a judge over someone else... we can't then turn around and claim ignorance of the law that we claim to administer." [13:06] (Download | )
- "Jesus is not against being critical. Jesus is not even against correction. Jesus is against your correction when we have not done the hard work of self-correction first." [19:25] (Download | )
- "The Christian is not to play the judge, being harsh, criticizing, condemning, or the hypocrite, blaming others while excusing ourselves. We are to rather be the brother, caring for others so much that we are willing to put our faults first." [20:01] (Download | )
- "Our role is to be patient and gracious with everyone, why? Because God has been patient and gracious with us." [23:16] (Download | )
- "It's impossible for you to not be a judge or a hypocrite simply because you do not have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you, directing you, challenging you, growing you." [23:55] (Download | )
- "Do I need forgiveness or do I need to extend forgiveness for being a judge or being a hypocrite?" [26:12] (Download | )
- "Until you have been encouraging to those who are timid, until you have taken tender care of those who are weak, until you have been patient with everyone, then and only then should you warn those who are lazy." [28:03] (Download | )
- "How many feet does Jesus have to wash before we realize that God wants every person to come to a saving faith in Jesus, every single person. That's his goal, that should be our goal." [05:42] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "Critique helps, criticism hurts. When we criticize others the way Jesus is saying don't judge others, what we do is we become negative and destructive." [11:07] (Download | )
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