The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

Part 15

Rather than judging and condemning others, help them.

^7:3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

Seeing something untoward in another is an invitation to look within. We despise in others what we don’t want to admit in ourselves. The log in my eye is often my reaction to the speck in yours.

My brothers and sisters, if a person is overcome by some transgression or sin, you who are spiritual should go to that person and restore them gently. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin also. (Galatians 6:1, my translation)

Don’t rebuke anyone unless you’re certain of the sin and you’ve been invited into that person’s life. Take off the sin-sniffer. Only very spiritually mature people are to do the correcting because they are living in the loving power of God, and their goal is restoration and reconciliation. There mustn’t be any self-righteousness or sense of superiority.

Slow down. Be hesitant, skeptical about making conclusions about other’s motives; we are usually wrong. Tell the other how it affects you; don’t act like you know why they did what they did. Treat others with kindness, patience, love, compassion, fairness, humility. 

Loving people don’t leave others struggling with splinters in their eyes. If they ask for help, give it. Ask, “How can I help you?” “What do you need?

The only way to help anyone is to give them what they need, not what we think they need. 

^7:6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you”.

The standard reading of that verse equates “pearls” and “holy things” with our gifts, good deeds, advice, or the gospel. People who won’t receive it are dogs and pigs, so don’t waste your time. 

That is the exact opposite of what Jesus meant.

Give people what they need. “That which is holy” refers to anything set apart for religious purposes, like a mezuzah, shofar, crucifix, or Bible. Dogs have no use for them. They need food, water, shelter, love.

Pearls might include my advice, answers, guidance, solutions, insight, my “wisdom.” Biblical teachings and theology are pearls. My understanding of right and wrong might be a pearl.

Pigs have no use for any of that. They need pig food, water, shelter and to owned by vegetarians. 

If you don’t feed the dogs or the pigs, they will eventually, driven mad by hunger, turn and attempt to eat you. 

(An aside: They’re mean, and they’ll bite you because they’re hungry and abused. Mean people are usually hungry for something and often were abused. Respond to mean people with love.)

No one is a dog. Paul ironically uses the term in Philippians 3:2 because the Judaizers who opposed him often used “dogs” as a derogatory term to refer to Gentiles. No one is a pig. Jesus isn’t calling anyone a dog or a pig. Labeling is dehumanizing. 

We mean well. We think we know best and have the answers. Unconsciously, we are taking away people’s responsibility and dignity. No one needs us; everyone needs God.

Jesus’ point is that pearls don’t help pigs and Bibles don’t help dogs. Pigs can’t eat pearls; dogs have no use for a rosary. Your breakfast server needs a generous tip, not a tract. 

Therefore, discern what people need by asking them, rather than by pushing on them what we think they need. It takes wisdom to know when to give or withhold wisdom. 

Humans need affordable housing, safety, medical care, dental care, psychological treatment, education, job-training, job placement, proper sanitation, clean water, healthful food, friends, a sense of community, to be treated with dignity, respect, and a personal relationship with Jesus. Some need help raising their children; others need treatment for addictions.

People who have no reference regarding spiritual things can’t use our “wisdom.” Ask, “What do you need?” ”What would be helpful for you?”

Don’t be a pearl-pusher.