Matthew 7:1-6

“Do not criticize people, so that you will not be criticized by them.

² For with the criticism you offer you will be criticized, and to the extent that you do it, it will be done to you.

³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is hanging out of 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 hanging out of your own eye?

⁵ You actor, remove the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or else they will stomp on them and turn to attack you. _________________________________________

The Sky Kingdom or criticism

The moment we begin to believe in the sky kingdom and the promise of being born again into it, we start being tempted to turn on those around us. Part of this is simply the fact that we know renewal is possible now, because we are experiencing it. But if we are not careful, we can turn that good thing happening to us into misery for everyone else.

So, Jesus gives some really practical advice here. Do not try to be someone else’s Holy Spirit. The word that he uses connotes the coming to a conclusion as a result of thinking through a situation. It can be a dangerous thing to tell someone else what you think of him. Jesus says that sky kingdom citizens should stay away from that activity, for several reasons:

1. Criticism breeds criticism. As soon as you serve it up, your friend becomes your opponent, and feels obligated to return your serve.

2. Self-criticism, however, is essential for the sky kingdom. We are set free from the penalty of sin by grace, but we still carry around baggage from the old life, and people notice that. If you do not think you have any baggage, try criticizing someone, and that person will be glad to point out your log. It will be better, however, and less embarrassing, if you discover your log yourself.

3. Without self-criticism and self-correction, criticizing others is dishonest. It is acting.

4. Criticizing others (especially nonbelievers) is also wrong because it is ineffective. Those beautiful pearls of wisdom you seek to throw at your neighbors are not going to help them look good. They are pigs, and they are not interested in pearls. They are liable to attack someone who criticizes them, so save yourself the grief.

LORD, get us out of everybody else’s business. May our hatred for sin in us lead us to deeply criticize our own thoughts and actions, leading to repentance and change. But may our love for our neighbors lead us to pray for them and so live before them that they seek answers from you.