Date:    9/7/03

Text:     Matthew 7:1-6

Title:     A Critical Spirit

Theme: In the Christian community, our challenge is to be discerning and not judgmental person.

 

Introduction:

            At a dinner table in Almaty several weeks ago, the host was airing her complaints about a pastor. She didn’t like his preaching, she didn’t like how he handled some problems (sound familiar?). Then in the midst of her non-stop tirade, she turned to me and said, “Pastor, am I right by speaking out what I think? Is this judging?”

            My first internal reaction, “Mmmm, she seems to know the Bible more than I thought she would.” Then my second reaction “is this judging? I do that sometimes too! Where do I draw the line between judgment and opinion?” It’s a tough question. How would you have answered it?

            To understand today’s passage, it is important for us to review its context. In 5:3-11 are the beatitudes, explaining to us the kind of characters Jesus expects from his followers. 5:21-48 are the moral standards expected of those in God's kingdom. How we control our anger and lust, our attitude towards marriage and divorce, what we do to those who have hurt us are to be radically different from the rest of the world. Then chapter 6 tells us that our lives are to be lived before the face of God. It’s not a show for others to see, but to be transparent towards God. It also instructs us of our need for uncompromisingly trusting God for our daily needs. He is not only the creator, but also the sustainer and provider. These are demands of perfection for God's children, the citizens of His Kingdom. As we fulfill such expectations and standards, we become the salt and light in this dark world.

            With this as background, we now venture into today’s passage.

I.          The believers are to avoid certain dangers when we attempt to live up to God's expectations.

            In our previous studies and last week’s message, I trust that we have the clear understanding that coming into God's kingdom is completely grace. It has nothing to do with our good conduct and merits. However, having come into God's kingdom, he wants our lives to manifest and reflect his beauty and perfection. However, as we attempt to live up to God's standards, there are 2 dangers we need to avoid.

1.         The danger of becoming a Hypocrite.

Human experience tells us that the higher the standard, the easier for us to fail. As human beings, instead of admitting our failures, our need for help, we want to fake it. We want others to know that we are doing well, we’re keeping God's instructions and living a victorious life. But when the lights are off, we live a different life. This is hypocrisy. The higher the standard, the easier it is for us to be a hypocrite.

2.         The danger of becoming a judge.

            Now, imagine a different scenario. You have made every effort to conform to God's standards. By God's grace, others can truly see you reflecting God's character in your life. Then what?

            You may begin to look down on others. They are not disciplined in reading God's word and praying. They lack the zeal in sharing the gospel. You may begin to see them as second class citizens and sometimes you may even feel angry towards them.  You look at others with a magnifying glass. Slowly, you become the self appointed judge in others’ lives. It is hard to live with or work with someone like this. In such a context,

II.         The believers are urged not to harbor a critical spirit towards others.

            Vs.1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” The word judge has three shades of meaning in the Greek. One is used in the judicial court, or being judgmental, or condemning. From the context here and also from Romans 14:10, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Jesus'' teaching here refers to a judgmental, critical spirit. There is always something wrong with that person, nothing is right.

            You may have a bad experience in your marriage. You then generalize that all men or women are the same. All men are good for nothing. Every man you see, you look for the weak spots to justify your perception. You become critical and cynical of every man. This is a judgmental spirit.

            Or you feel let down by someone, such as a minister that you have trusted. You feel betrayed. You will then generalize that all preachers are the same. Every minister you meet, you will watch him with a magnifying glass, scrutinizing every word he says and every move he makes. When you find one, “You see, I have told you so.”

            Very often we may say, “No, I am not being judgmental. I am just a quality control person.” Isn’t it true a quality control person needs to be very critical so he can find every fault before him? A judgmental person could be right in his observation and conclusion, but his attitude is negative, critical and without love.

            It is to this judgmental spirit, Jesus says, “Judge not, ….” Why?  In vs.1b, 2, “that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Jesus is saying, if you have that judgmental spirit towards others, others will do the same to you. Or we will stand judged before God.

            It is easy to see when someone is a liar and be critical of him. How about us? Do we fudge a little here and there in our income tax? Or in plotting our data in a report, do we  fudge a little to make it fit into the curve we think it should be? It is easy for us to spot an adulterer and be very critical and judgmental of him and her. But in the light of Matthew 5:27-30, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart”; can we stand God's judgment?

            Yes, we may consider ourselves as the guardian of truth, as God's quality control person. How do we like God be that quality control person in our lives, scrutinizing our every move and word?

            Jesus then moves on and gives us an example. 3-5, “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? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 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.” How come you see a saw dust in his eyes, and not notice the log that is in your eye? Well, this is certainly an exaggeration. But the point is clear. It is so easy to see other’s little mistake, but can be so blind to our personal flaws. Please note, Jesus is not saying do not remove the sawdust in his eyes. But watch out who is doing the removal. I certainly don’t want someone who cannot see well to work on my teeth, right?

            Well, as Jesus speaks, his listeners must be thinking of an OT story. 2 Samuel 12:1-7, “And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him,  “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan,  “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

            David was so angry with the rich man who took advantage of the poor man. Yet he was totally oblivious of his sins of committing adultery with Bathsheba and deliberate deception and cold blooded murder of her husband. He saw the sawdust in the rich man’s eye, but not the log in his own eye. Until the prophet Nathan said, “You are the man.” You are the guilty person.

            It’s easy to see others mistakes and not our own. DA Carson in his book, “Sermon on the Mount” writes, It is easy to see others public sins but blind to the sins that we are attracted to.

            He then continues: Those of us who are young, we have many good and new ideas about almost everything. We are prone to be critical and cynical of people and the establishment around us. Yet as we grow older, we often  grow out of it. Then there are those of us who are older. We probably noticed that the older we get; the more opinionated we become. We are also more defensive, rigid and critical of others. Nothing others do meet our standards and impress us. The sad thing is that young people sometimes can grow out of their judgmental attitude, but the old stays that way.

III.       The believers are urged to develop a discerning attitude. Vs.6

          It is clear that we are to rid of that judgmental attitude and critical spirit. But does that mean that we have no opinions? Does it mean that that lady in Almaty can not speak out what she thinks of certain individuals? Are we to be ambiguous people  with no opinions? Since I am not to judge, does that mean that I have no opinions on abortion, the war in Iraq, the 10 commandment monument in the Alabama court or the Bible in Houston’s downtown? Can you imagine what a community is like if there are no opinions and convictions? It will be chaotic.

            Jesus continues on in vs. 6, “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.” He talks about dogs and pigs and holy and pearls. Later on Paul talks about false teachers, evil doers. John writes about not all spirits comes from the Lord. These are quite strong opinions and indictments. This doesn’t sound like people with no opinions.

            Let’s look further into this. Dogs are not the ones we think of as our family pets. These dogs are semi wild and vicious. These pigs are capable of violence. Pigs are an admonition to the Jews. Pearls mean great treasure. In the context of Matthew, the great treasure is the kingdom of God; it is the greatest treasure one can possess. Jesus is saying don’t give this great treasure to those who would viciously reject and attack you. No matter how many times they have heard the message, they would be angry and unrepentant. In such times, you may want to consider leaving them alone. Later on, we’re told that Paul abandoned his ministry at Corinth among the Jews and went to minister to the gentiles.

            This does not mean that we are not to share the gospel with these angry and sometimes vicious people. I was told a story about a certain individual in Houston. He was rude and with a quick temper. Many people are afraid of him and few dare to talk to him. When he was first presented with the gospel, he was angry and rude. But the Christians persisted, and eventually he turned to Christ. His character and temperament were changed by God.

            As a discerning person, sometimes we need to know when to move forward, other times when to stop. As a discerning person we’re to reach out in love to those who are wrong. We are to discern what is right from what is wrong. We are to discern right behavior from the wrong ones. We are to discern what is biblical from what is not biblical.

Conclusion:

            “Can I have my opinions on people and events? Is this judging others? Am I wrong? Please tell me.” this lady in Almaty asked. The answer?  “yes, and no. We need to be discerning about people’s attitude and behavior. At the same time, let us not condemn others. If your attitude is judgmental and condemning, then it is wrong.”

            We have seen how relationships and harmony are damaged by judgmental attitudes in this and other Christian communities. Judgmental attitude is usually cynical and condemning. It is cold and unloving, causing people to drift away from each other. It tends to show that I am right and you are wrong. It is self serving, rather than caring for the other person. A judgmental person has plenty of justice but little mercy. So Jesus teaches us don’t be judgmental; don’t carry with you that critical and cynical spirit.

            Instead, we are to be a discerning person. When we discern attitudes and behaviors that are wrong, then we’ll reach out to the other person in love. Gently telling him his mistakes and pointing him to the right path.

 

 

Note: Please refer to DA Carson’s “Sermon on the Mount” for more in depth treatment of this passage.