Specks, Logs, Happy Dogs, and Pigs

Gold is a rare commodity today. It’s also a very valuable mineral, and America at one time based the value of their currency on the gold standard. It gave worth to our green backs, dollars, bucks, or bills. Our economic demise can be traced to our abandonment of this benchmark. The value of our money is now based on air. It is a sad state of affairs.

Some of the church’s demise can also be traced back to the loss of a rare commodity too. It can be traced back to a thing called humility. It is a lost character trait in many, or a trait sparingly used, especially when it counts the most. Humility promotes unity, love, peace, joy, and a host of other wonderful, life giving qualities to a fellowship. Yet, we argue over specks and logs.

Matthew 7:1-6 states, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eyes, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “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. Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearl’s before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

First, Jesus was not giving The Suggestions on the Mount but The Sermon on the Mount. Do not judge means do not judge. It is a command. When a general gives a command a soldier obeys. If he doesn’t, he dies on the battlefield. Others die too because of their lack of obeying orders. When a parent gives a command, a child should obey with the right heart attitude, but that’s another article. When children don’t obey and treat parents with contempt, they go to hell (Prov 23:13-14). When Jesus gives a command should we not obey? He is only the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That’s kind of an important position if you ask me. What do you think?

Our culture treats God’s commands as suggestions. We wonder why we have so many problems in our businesses, schools, homes, and churches. Do not commit adultery means do not commit adultery. Yet, this sin alone has destroyed countless families, communities, cities, and countries. The collateral damage has been devastating. The same can be said for lying, idolatry, and all of the other commandments found in the Bible. We live in a culture that thrives on looking at commands as suggestions. We have done this with Matthew 7:1-6. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs.

Second, if we took the time to ask God to reveal any logs in our own eyes first before we judge another person’s speck, the church would be a happier place. Our homes would be a happier place. Our businesses would be a happier place. Our world would be a happier place. You would be a happier person. Your dog would be a happier dog. Yes, Sparky or Fido is waiting for the true sons and daughters of the King to arise (Romans 8:19). Humility would be practiced. Love, joy, peace, and health would reign.

This simple act of asking God to search our own hearts first before we correct could prevent a lot of heartache. How do I know this? I’ve treated Matthew 7:1-6 as a suggestion on many occasions in the past, especially with my family and friends. I’ve paid the price too. Pain is a good teacher. I do not want to take this class over again. I want to graduate from kindergarten. I want to graduate from just playing on the monkey bars and spelling my name correctly on the chalkboard. Don’t you?

Brothers and sisters, when we judge someone from the heart, we will also be judged. We don’t even have to say anything. If we judge from the heart, we violate Matthew 7:1-6 (the Sermon on the Mount zeroes in on the source of sin, the heart). Yes, God will judge us when we stand before him face to face. However, I am talking about being judged in the present. Watch how other people will judge you when you judge. People will accuse you when you accuse. Demonic activity will increase over your life. The Accuser will have a field day with your heart and mind. You will not be a happy camper. Trust me. I’ve been there, done that. Maybe you’ve been there, too.

Asking God to reveal the log in our own eyes before we correct will give us clear insight on how to help them. We will come in a spirit of humility and love because we have spent time with our loving God. It doesn’t matter if we smile. If our hearts are condemning that person or persons, the spirit of our words will come down like hatchet dripping with blood. We are called to sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17). We are even called to speak the truth even though it hurts (Proverbs 27:6). Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. However, we are called to correct in a spirit of love and gentleness (Proverbs 15:1, Ephesians 4:15).

Third, after we spent time with God to remove the Hale Koa (nuisance plant found in Hawaii) branch from our eyes, we need to assess whether the person is a dog or a swine. People who do not listen to wise and loving correction are compared to these unclean creatures. That is what Jesus calls them in verse six. Proverbs 9:7 supports this point, “He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.” God even calls the unrepentant stupid (Proverbs 12:1). Loving correction are like holy pearls for someone who values them. Ask the Holy Spirit whether it’s worth your time and energy to confront someone with truth. If He says yes, go in a spirit of love and courage. You will save them from error and even death. If He says no, don’t waste your time. They will only trample your words like a hog wallowing in the mud. These are the words of Jesus, not mine.

Hey church, these are pretty sobering truths that need to be heeded. Everyone has violated and is still violating Matthew 7:1-6. Jesus called the unrighteous judge a hypocrite and the one who won’t listen to wise correction a swine or a dog. If you ask me, these are not very flattering titles from our Lord Jesus. He didn’t mince any words. However, the church is filled with pigs, dogs, and people walking around with Hale Koa branches sticking out of their eyes. It’s not a pretty sight. What’s the remedy? Humility. Being humble enough to give and receive truth in love. Both are not practiced today in a Biblical way. The church has suffered because of it.

Love you church. I really do. It’s time we all grow up. It's time to really love one another. Please understand that I am not singling out one person, group, or church. This is a rampant disease in the body of Christ that needs to be rooted out once and for all. Please test these words if they are not true.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)