We are looking at a classic passage this week! These two verses may be some of the most recognizable in all of the New Testament; and some of the most often memorized.

Take a look at the passage in Matthew 7:7-8.

Jesus makes some outrageous promises here. He tells us that God is ready and willing to answer our prayers. He wants to give us what our heart desires…

…As long as our heart’s desires are in line with his will.

That’s not such a big thing, is it?

But it can be difficult.

I know I have a hard time asking God for things, wondering just why he might answer my prayers. But this passages indicates that he wants to do exactly that.

I just need to have the faith to ask…

What is it that you need to ask God for? Do you find that easy or hard to do? Let me know in the comments.

This weeks passage wraps up the section on judging that began with Chapter 7. Review week 35 and week 36.

Jesus uses an illustration here that I’ve never quite understood.

Check out the passage in Matthew 7:6.

Jesus’ uses the imagery of giving the sacred to the dogs, or casting your pearls before swine.

I’ve always wondered just what that meant. I mean, it seems just a bit odd, don’t you think? Just how does this relate to judging others?

Some commentators separate this verse from the judging passage, and title it Honoring What Is Valuable. Out of all the commentaries I have in my personal library, every one treats this verse that way.

If that’s they way it should be viewed, then why do so many Bibles include it under the heading of Judging Others? Even my various study Bibles don’t answer the question in the footnotes.

So, let’s see what you think. I would appreciate your opinions.

The obvious, simple, directive here is clear. But does it relate to the judging passage? Or should it stand on its own? Let me know in the comments.

This weeks passage continues the topic of judging others that began with the new chapter, and which we memorized last week.

Jesus uses hyperbole to make a point.

Check out the passage in Matthew 7:3-5.

Jesus’ purposely illustrates his point with absurdity.

We’ve all had something in our eye. And it hurts! It’s sometimes difficult to get rid of, and even after we do, our eye still stings, sometimes for quite a while.

But Jesus tells us that we can’t see to get the speck out of someone else’s eye when we have a two by four in our own!

In other words, stop judging others and pay attention to what needs to change in our own lives.

This is input we could all pay attention to. I know I need to hear it. And I even know what my plank is. My temper can get the best of me. I know it. And I hate it.

Now I need to work on removing it, so I can be more helpful to others.

What about you? What’s your plank? Let me know in the comments.

We start chapter 7 this week!

I’m interested in hearing how you’re doing with this, and would like to hear from you. Please share your experiences in the comments.

This week’s passage begins chapter 7, and also begins the section on judging others.

Take a look. It’s found in Matthew 7:1-2.

This has always been one of those passages that seem to be taken out of context; or at least over used in conversations about judging.

One one hand, we aren’t to judge. Only God can determine the heart of a person with any definite conclusion.

On the other hand, James tells us that if we turn someone from sin, we’ve done something incredible. That requires a bit of judgment, don’t you think?

And Paul includes some instruction about judging others in the church as well.

It seems like Scripture is contradicting itself here. What’s going on?

Here’s my take on the matter.

I think the rule of conduct is best understood as “don’t get into the habit of being judgmental.” Such a judgmental attitude directly impacts how others, including God, respond to our deficiencies.

Jesus isn’t telling us that a critical assessment of others is to be completely avoided. In fact, Jesus expects us to be sensitive and responsive to the failures of others (Matthew 18:15-18, Matthew 7:6).

His illustration of the speck of sawdust and the plank, which we will memorize next week, exaggerates just how absurd it is to point out the flaws of another, while ignoring our own shortcomings.

It almost seems as if he’s saying that a detailed self-analysis or self-judgment is necessary before we can even begin to think about helping others.

And so, when people complain that the church “judges me”, what they are really complaining about is how the church, being used by the Spirit, is convicting them of sin, and they simply don’t want to hear it.

Know this: We are called to point out sin, not for the purpose of spotlighting the flaws of others, but to draw them toward Christ and his grace and salvation.

Nothing more, nothing less.

What’s your take on this whole idea of judging? Let me know in the comments.