Specks, Logs, Pigs and Pearls

Summary: Jesus’ commands to “judge not” and “not throw your pearls” expose our pride and lack of love and drive us to the gospel of grace.Summary: Jesus’ commands to “judge not” and “not throw your pearls” expose our pride and lack of love and drive us to the gospel of grace.

1.  Judge not, that you be not judged.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes… (1 Corinthians 4:5, ESV)
Parallels:
• Forgive others:  Matt. 6:14-15
• Love your brother:  1 John 4:20

Grumble not… Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. (James 5:9, ESV)

2.  Specks and logs.

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, ESV)

3.  Don’t throw your pearls to pigs.

The pearl of great price:  Matt. 13-45-46
Spiritual dogs and pigs

Applications

1. Genuinely care for others by communicating truth in a way that they’re most able to receive it.
2. Pray for others’ spiritual transformation: from pig to pearl-hunter, from spiritual death to life, blindness to sight.
3. Do you often have a critical attitude? Embrace openness and honesty. Embrace the love of God in Christ Jesus.
4. Use specific “specks” you notice in others to examine yourself. Why do you notice?
5. Genuinely care for others by helping them get “specks” out of their eyes.
6. Treasure and celebrate the pearl of great price, our glorious God!