Practicing Proper Perception

 

 

SERMON ON THE MOUNT- 18

 

TITLE: Practicing Proper Perception

TEXT: Matthew 7:1-6

TONE: Warning

TARGET: Believers

TASK: To warn believers of judging too harshly.

TEACH: Years ago, I had an unexpected encounter at a gas station that left a lasting impression. I was standing outside, pumping gas, while my son Seth had gone inside to grab me a Gatorade. As I glanced around, my attention was drawn to a man nearby. He was about 5’10”, 185 pounds, dressed entirely in black -from his pants and hoodie to his shoes and gloves. The hood was cinched tightly around his face, obscuring his features.

 

Everything about him seemed off; he stood awkwardly, holding something black in his hand, giving the impression he was on the verge of doing something dumb and rash. My instincts screamed that something was wrong. Concern flooded through me, especially with my son inside the store. Without a clear understanding of the situation, my protective instincts took over. I rushed him quickly pinning him against the glass, making sure to keep his arm immobilized. My only though was ensuring the safety of Seth and everyone else inside the store. The man exclaimed loudly, “I work here and there are bees in the trash can!” He was dressed the way he was to prevent stings from the bees as he changed out the trash bag with the role he was holding in his hand.

 

In hindsight, it’s important to approach such situations with care and proper perception—gathering as much information as possible and considering all angles—before jumping to conclusions. However, as a parent, all I could think of was protecting my child.

 

TRUTH: Judgment among Christians can be considered holy and necessary when it is grounded in biblical principles aimed at promoting spiritual growth, maintaining moral integrity an fostering a healthy community. Here are some key reasons:

 

1.        Accountability and Restoration: Galatians 6:1 “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.”

 

2.        Purity and Integrity of the Community: 1Cor. 5:12-13 “For what have I do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

 

3.        Promoting Righteousness and Discernment: Phil. 1:9-10 “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

 

4.        Encouraging Growth and Correction: 2Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

 

However, Jesus does condemn criticism that is drenched in hypocrisy. Such judgment is from a spirit of self-righteousness and superiority. Judging is something that we all do, it is the reality of our existence. Yet, we are to practice godly biblical principles with our judgments. Such as…

 

I.                             Curtailing Critical Condemnation (Matt. 7:1-2)

Explanation: Refrain from Reckless Reproof. Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (v.1). The term “judge” here (krino in Greek) involves forming an opinion or conclusion about someone. Jesus is cautioning against a prejudicial, hostile, or hypocritical judgment which condemns rather than constructively critiques. The Pharisees were known for such harsh criticism (Luke 18:9-14). The verse serves as a warning against the kind of judgment that is devoid of mercy, as it is God alone who holds ultimate authority to judge hearts and intentions (James 4:12).

 

Measure with Mutual Measures. Again, Jesus said, “For is the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (v.2) Jesus emphasizes a foundational biblical principle: the way we evaluate and treat others will, in turn, be applied to us. This notion of reciprocity is deeply embedded in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as in Proverbs 19:17, which discusses how lending to the poor is akin to lending to the Lord and He will repay. There is a call to self-examination in our pursuit of justice and mercy, urging believers to apply standards that mirror the grace and fairness of God’s character.

 

Deuteronomy 25:13-16 states, “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large, and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God.”  This includes how we measure and judge others.

 

Application: Avoid uncharitable judgment to prevent receiving similar scrutiny and judgment. Instead, use fair and equitable standards that are shared and reflect mutual respect for all. Our judgments should always be offered from a heart of love and humility. He is not calling us to be blind, but to be generous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practicing proper perception also involves…..

 

II.                         Focus on Flaws with Fair Foresight (Matt. 7:3-5)

Explanation: Acknowledge and address your own Anomalies. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (v.3). Jesus contrasts the speck and the plank to emphasize the disparity in our perception of others’ sins and versus our own. The ‘speck and plank’ serve as metaphors for minor versus major flaws, brilliantly illuminating the subject nature of human judgment. This teaching reflects a key principle of humility found throughout Scripture, underscoring the need for self-examination before critiquing others. It echoes Paul’s exhortation in Romans 2:1, where he warns against passing judgment on others in areas, we ourselves struggle.

 

Deal with your defects diligently. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” (v.4). The term ‘hypocrite’ often associated with actors in Greek theater, indicates someone who presents a false persona. In the realm of spiritual life, it warns believers about the danger of focusing on outward appearances or behaviors while neglecting the condition of the heart (Matt. 23:27-28).

 

The hypocrisy of condemning in others what we tolerate in ourselves is set forth in the analogy of the speck and the log. Jesus deliberately drew the ludicrous picture of a man with a log in his eye trying to remove a speck from another’s eye! Much of our judging of others is that absurd. It one is sincere, he will first bring himself under judgment, removing the log from his own eye. (Frank Stagg, The Broadman Commentary: Matthew (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1969), pg. 119.

 

Cultivate clarity through cleaning your own character. Jesus said, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (v.5) Hypocrisy displeases God because it undermines the authenticity and sincerity required in God’s relationship with humanity. When believers confront personal faults, it enables sincerity in fulfilling the Christian ethic in personal relationships and spiritual

 

Hypocrisy displeases God because it undermines the authenticity and sincerity required in God’s relationship with humanity. When believers confront personal faults, it enables sincerity in fulfilling the Christian ethic in personal relationships and spiritual responsibilities, avoiding the pitfall described in 1 John 4:20, where claiming love for God while harboring hate toward others is directly challenged.

 

Application: Recognize and address your own obvious shortcomings before focusing on others’ minor faults. Clarity and compassion in leadership emerge when one’s own integrity is refined. Commitment to personal correction fosters authenticity and relational health.

 

Lastly, practicing proper perception involves…

 

III.                      Wisdom in withholding what is worthy (Matt. 7:6)

Explanation: Safeguard Sacred Silvers. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw pearls to pigs.” (v.6a) Jesus uses the metaphor of “dogs” and “pigs” animals considered unclean within the Jewish cultural context, to illustrate the importance of discerning when, where, and with whom sacred truths are shared. Here, these terms symbolically reference individuals or groups that may be unwilling or unable to appreciate, respect, or engage with the sacred truths of the Gospel.

 

The teaching calls for Christians to exercise wisdom, recognizing the sanctity of divine revelations, equipping believers to guard these truths with reverence and intentionality, as evidenced in Prov. 9:7-8, which highlights the importance of discerning the receptivity of an audience.

 

Discern discouragement and disengage. “If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (v.6b) The verse warns about potential reactions to the misapplication or dismissal of Gospel truths – a metaphorical “trampling” reflecting disdain or disrespect, and “tearing to pieces” metaphorizing hostile or adverse responses. Here we are reminded of the sobering reality that not all will welcome or respect sacred teachings and, in some instances, they could react negatively, not only neglecting the worth of these truths but also attacking those who share them.

Application: Preserve and protect valuable truths by sharing them with those who appreciate their worth.

 

Application: Apply discernment to retreat from futile or potentially harmful interactions.

 

In Matthew 7:1-6, believers are taught to curtail unkind judgment, correct personal deficiencies with diligence, and wisely discern the worthy distribution of truth. These principles guide us toward integrity and prudent engagement with others.

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