Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5 HCSB
Many of us are quick to judge others. We read news reports and suddenly become the judge, jury, and executioner. We are told in Matthew 7 not to judge. There is a difference in judging and inspecting the fruit of others, but that’s another blog for another day. Jesus warns against judging when we ourselves are facing judgment for the sins we commit.
In verse 5, Jesus said “Hypocrite! First, take the log out of your eye and you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “When we say we don’t want to attend a church because of the hypocrites there, aren’t we being hypocritical? My former pastor used to respond to that line by saying, “There’s always room for one more.” When we judge others for their sin, are we turning a blind eye to our sins?
In John 8:7 Jesus told the crowd that wanted to stone the adulterer, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” We often forget that sin is sin. We tend to look down our noses at adulterers, murderers, and child molesters forgetting that our sins of lying or yes even gossiping is just as bad as their sin. Sin is not divided into categories of small and large sins. Any sin is a bad sin.
Be very careful not to condemn others for their sin without recognizing your own. Also, be very careful to think you have no sin. Romans 3:23 tells us that all sin and fall short of the glory of God. 1 John 1:8 says that if we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But we are told in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Many people use the excuse that they don’t want to attend church because there are too many hypocrites there. Saying that makes them a hypocrite, right? Our former pastor used to respond to that by saying, “There’s always room for one more.”
When we are busy being hypocritical of others, we are not focusing on what we need to do. And, we are certainly not going to lead others to Christ by criticizing them. So, what are we to do?
The Bible tells us we are to expose sin (Ephesians 5:11). Galatians 6:1 tells us if anyone is caught in sin, we are to restore him in a spirit of gentleness and watch out for ourselves so that we won’t be tempted.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Paul encouraged them to live quietly, mind their own business and work with their hands.
The danger of hypocrisy is that it can turn others away from Christ. As Christians, it is our job to lead others to Christ. James 1:26 tells us if we think we are religious but don’t bridle our tongues but deceive our hearts, our religion is worthless.
Examine yourself and find the sin that is within you and yes there is some. Deal with that. Bring it to the Lord. Confess and repent. When confronting someone about their sin do it gently. Remember that you too have dealt with your fair share of sin. Come alongside them and let them know you have been there and done that. This is an opportunity to give testimony about how Jesus helped you get through it and overcome your sin. Let them know He will do the same for them.
Whatever you do, don’t let your hypocrisy hinder their salvation or stunt their growth if they are a baby Christian. This makes us a stumbling block and no good comes from that. Be kind, gentle and forgiving. You know, like we are when Jesus is with us.
Have a great day!