Cornerstone Christian Counselling Centre
by Steve Bydeley, C.E.T., C.P.C.
Specks or Logs?"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 eye, 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. (Matt 7:1-5)
This is a grossly misunderstood section of scripture. Here Jesus deals with the act of judging, which is not what we know as a process of evaluating someone. This judging carries the act further - to the point of deciding or what our courts would call passing sentence. You have reached the point in your evaluation of the offender - knowing all you need to know that have convicted them.
judge (jùj) verb
- To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration: judge heights; judging character.
- a. Law. To hear and decide on in a court of law; try: judge a case. b. Obsolete. To pass sentence on; condemn.
Notice 2b, the obsolete definition of judge - 'to pass sentence on, to condemn'. This is closer in meaning to the Greek word used in the text. Strong's Concordance tells us it means to judge, to decide. You are so sure of the guilt of the offender that you have decided against them. This is the judging that Jesus warns us against because we never know all the facts. Actually we usually know very little and are blinded by our own issues. The verse that follows tell us why we do not want to judge others:
"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you."
The problem is one of specks and logs.
God created us for relationship. Satan's first and still best attack against God was to damage man's capacity for relationship. When sin came into their hearts, Adam and Eve hid themselves from God and each other. We can see the effect of that sin in their new ability to blame each other for their situation.
How does this show itself in our text? As specks and logs.
The effect of this sin in our lives results in wounds that we inflict on those around us and that we receive from them. These wounds stay with us until they are removed by confession and forgiveness. While in us, they act as "bruise buttons", giving us emotional responses to similar present situations. Who is the problem, the one who pushes the button, or the one who owns the button? Let me create a small drama to illustrate this:
A husband and wife are in an argument. The wife is angry because the husband has just informed her of his intent to play a morning round of golf with some friends. She complains that he is always leaving her home alone and she does not like to be left alone. Now he gets angry.
Who owns the speck and who the log? Let's look deeper.
Imagine the wife as a 4-year-old girl. Her father was a salesman and needed to be on the road to earn a living. She felt rejection and believed if he really loved her, he would stay with her. This is not true, but her young mind, not yet trained in logical thinking, believed it to be true. The emotions of that early scene become a "bruise button" lodged deep in the heart of the grown woman. Anything today that closely resembles that earlier event will cause her to experience again those earlier feelings and emotions.
The similarity of the husband's leaving to play golf press that "bruise button" and she reacts with emotion and criticism and an argument starts that cannot be resolved without both being hurt. |
Now who had the speck and who had the log?
Enter Jesus, the Wonderful Counsellor. Because He is not subject to time as are we, and is able to heal the hurts that entered the heart of the little girl. He tells her that she is precious, that she is never alone - He is with her. As she confesses her misunderstandings and forgives her father, that "bruise button" is removed - instantly. Instead of the emotional pain and hurt, that memory now carries the words that Jesus spoke to her.
Enter the golfer a few weeks later. This time his leaving finds no "bruise button"; in fact, she finds it to be a good opportunity to do some things as well. The husband and wife bless each other as they part and look forward to the joy of being together later.
Too simple you say. Yes, very simple, very effective, and very real. Jesus is well able to do this and much more if we come to Him recognizing our need and His ability. But first we need to know who has the speck and who has the log and so avoid the serious consequences of a wrong judgment.
Christian Prayer Counselling methods are very effective with our logs - our "bruise buttons".
Steve Bydeley, C.E.T., C.P.C.
is a counselor with Cornerstone Christian Counselling Centre and co-author of Dream Dreams
Cornerstone Christian Counselling Centre
258 King St. N.,
519-883-3922
Fax 519-883-3924
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
mail: Box 38029 at 256 King St. N. Waterloo Ont. N2J 4T9
For further information contact us at www.cornerstonechristian.ca or info@cornerstonechristian.ca
