Judge not

 Matthew 7:1–6 (ESV): 

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log 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 brother’s eye. 

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. 

None of us likes to think that we are hypocrites or judgemental. Yet, so often we are. When people do things different to us, have alternative views, different cultural expectations or behaviours, speak differently, or just seem odd to us, we judge them. It is often not intentional, and we don’t like to think that we do, but if you really think about it, you know that you tend to have prejudices, biases and these are all elements of judging people - having expectations about someone or a group of people because of your limited understanding, experience or common ideas. 

You have expectations of how people should behave and talk. This is borne out of a combination of the culture, background and values that you have and the belief system that you follow. These ideals that you have for your own life are often unknowingly put onto those around you. You are used to certain mannerisms and patterns of behaviour, and this influences your acceptance and view of other people. It often causes you to see the ‘specks’ in them that are different, maybe because you do not have them or show them as obviously. Instead you have logs in your eyes which prevent you from seeing those people clearly. 

I grew up with a cockney accent, dropping all my ‘hs’ ‘ts’ and any other letter that i could. When i moved to another area no-one could understand me, and regarded me as somewhat common. I decided to change the way i spoke to be understood and integrate better. When i moved back to the area i had grown up in my accent had changed. I got a job and my new colleagues told me after a while that they did not expect to get along with me because i spoke “too posh”. Sometimes you can’t win! I was judged by the way i spoke in both places. In one i was too common and regarded initially as not very intelligent, in the other i was too posh and seemed above the place i was living in simply because of the way i spoke. It may seem a silly thing, but this is what it is like to see specks in people. Assumptions are made based on common ideas, expectations, beliefs and experience. I had been judged by those around me and they made assumptions about my intellect, personality and character based upon the way i spoke. In all actuality, the way we speak has very little to do with those things or the character we have. The same is true for the 'specks' we see in others. They do not make up the whole person, there is more to them than the difference or awkwardness that you seem to see so easily.

It is often the small things that we judge people for; how they speak, move, look, habits they have, routines they keep. decisions they make, or even where they come from. It is not right or fair, yet you probably do it. We all do. So, before you make a decision about someone else, take time to consider your own quirks, behaviours, manner of speaking and values that you have. Would some of those seem odd to others? I am not saying that you should change, but you need to recognise that you too will make different decisions and say different things to those around you. You will have mannerisms, routines and patterns of behaviour that others will probably look at and think odd. These are specks or maybe even logs that others could see in you, you have just got used to living with them, other people haven’t. So take this into consideration when you come into contact with others. Make every effort not to judge them because you would do things or say things differently. You too have specks that you do not even realise are there and i am sure you would not want to be excluded or treated differently because of them.

Jesus is the only one who never had any specks or logs which blinded him. Yet he learnt not to judge those around him. He recognised that this was not his job. His job was to be human and display the grace, love, hope and forgiveness of God to those he encountered, no matter the logs or specks he could see in their lives. That is your job too. If you are someone who loves God, you need to be loving in thought, deed and word to the people you come into contact with, not judgemental. Remember that each person is made in the image of God just like you are. Jesus loves people, God created them wonderfully and fearfully just like He made you. So do not let any specks or logs blind you to these truths. People may be difficult for you to understand, but don’t let that prevent you from trying to develop a rapport with someone. Do not try to fix the ‘problems’ you see in the lives of others without first checking if it is actually a problem that needs solving, and that they actually want help with it. Even then you may not be the right person to help. They might have a speck in their eye and you may have a log! It could be that what you see in them is just a difference that doesn’t even require a solution. Some times you can step into the lives of others and see what they ‘need’ to do according to your own values, beliefs and experience. Yet that is not something you should impose upon them. You can help, guide and suggest things, but only if you are invited to. Be aware that the difference and oddness you see in others, they probably see in you too!

Remember, Jesus came, lived and died for other people just as he did for you. He had every right to point out everyone’s logs and offer to help remove them, but he didn’t. Instead he showed love and acceptance, and he waited for people to approach him. Jesus invites us in, hangs out with us, and points us to the Loving Father in Heaven, not to the specks or logs in our eyes. Can you do the same for those in your life?

Ask

 Matthew 7:7–11 (ESV): 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 

When you approach God with your needs and wants, He will give you good things. Jesus does not promise that you will get everything that you want, but he does assure you that God will give you good gifts. For God is a fantastic Father, better than any of us earthly parents. Yet even as imperfect parents we try to do the best for our kids. So, how much more does God seek your best interests

When my children were younger and were hungry, they might ask for cake or sweets, especially if they saw me baking! That was not what they were often given, but i would give them something to eat, maybe an apple or some toast. It is not precisely what they asked for, but they had their need met and what they had is better for them in the long-term. God is the same with you. He can see that some of the things you ask for are like sweets or cake, which will ultimately not satisfy you and will not do you good in the long-term. Therefore He will provide what you actually need. God makes a better choice for you than what you would ask for yourself. God knows you. He knows how you are made and what you need. He knows what is best for your maturity and wellbeing. He is being a better parent than you ever could be for He actually sees your future and knows how you are made, the things you need and the things you don't. You may think that you are too old to be parented. You are not. In God's eyes, just like children in ours, you have a lot of growing up to do. I mean in His eyes you are still a baby when you consider that God has years without end! 

God is being a good father to you, will you accept His leadership even when you do not like it or agree with it? Good parents do not always give their children what they want when they want it. for they see the benefit of patience, and of different gifts. Are you trusting and patient when you ask God for things? When God next answers your prayers in an unexpected way, what will be your response? I encourage you, do not get grumpy, instead be grateful. God is giving you something better than what you requested. He is investing in your life for the long-term, not the short-term benefit that you are concerned about. He can see what you can’t, and He loves, guides and answers you as Hs beloved child. Do not be afraid to ask God for things, just don’t expect to get the answers that you want, for God cares about you and knows you more deeply than you can fathom. You can trust Him to give you what is best. For He can do immeasurably more than you ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). You can trust Him to give you good gifts; God will open doors for you and provide your needs, just ‘ask, and it will be given to you’.

How to stop worrying

Following on from the previous passage where Jesus was challenging people to consider who they were following - God or money, and to contemplate where there treasure is, Jesus speaks about not being anxious about the everyday things like the things money can buy, food and clothing. 

Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV): 

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

Do you get worried or anxious about everyday matters? Jesus tells you not to. I know it is not that easy to just switch it off though! I used to be full of worries, i would "worry about worrying" as my parents tell me. Yet, over the years and decades, I have learnt to trust God more than the concerns of this life. I did it by doing as Jesus recommends in this passage, “consider the lilies of the field…” Instead of focusing on the things that cause concern, focus on how God has created, and takes care of what He has made like the birds, flowers and trees. Really take time to consider them. How they are created, their beauty and complexity as well as how they are provided for  - not just to survive, but to thrive and multiply. 

Then think about what God has already done in your life, in the lives of others and throughout history, and remember that He is still the same today, and He will be tomorrow. He is The One you can unshakeably trust. He has proved His worth. So what have you got to worry about in comparison to this Almighty God?! Reframe your mind to think about Him more than the things that concern you. 

As a young christian full of fear, having someone I could always talk to, who tells me they are my friend, and who cares about all the things I care about, was a revelation. I learnt to pray about the things that caused me to worry, and i worried all the time, so God was busy listening! I would question decisions i had made, ones i hadn’t, things i had said and not said, if people were upset with me, liked me, what i had done or not done. My whole life was constant worry, so to realise that there is a God that cares about me and likes to talk with me even about the things i fretted about but never spoke to others about was a huge relief. I talked to God about all of these fears and concerns, and He listened. I learnt to read the Bible and try to understand it. I thought about passages like this one, and saw from my observations of life that God does indeed take care of the flowers and birds, and he says, “are you not of more value than they?”! So, if God says that He is taking care of all of these things, and He says I am worth more than that, who am I to worry? I often cannot solve the problems and concerns I face. I cannot make any difference in some situations. However I can talk to a God who can. So can you. Although Jesus says not to be anxious, you can talk to God about it and ask Him to relieve your fears, and you can trust that He will do it. God doesn’t mind you talking about such things with Him, He will listen. Once you have spoken with Him, remind yourself of the truth. Look at who He is, what He has done, and is doing in the world around you. Then you will realise the bigness of your fears is overshadowed by the mightiness, power, love, care and greatness of God. 

God knows what you need and He is providing your sustenance and every breath right now, as well as caring for the creatures and creation that He has made. So learn to look at the power, capacity and care of God your Father. Train your mind to think of such things and allow the truth of God’s ability to fill your mind and thoughts rather than those anxious ones. Your heavenly Father feeds and clothes, so take Jesus’ advice and “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” then you will have nothing to worry about!

Where is your treasure?

What is your attitude to the things of this world? Are you precious about the material possessions you have, or the money you have saved? How would you feel if your house was robbed or burnt down, or your money was lost or taken? Consider what your reaction would be. Sadness and annoyance would be fair, but, would you be distraught, furious, heartbroken? If so, then you are treasuring the things of the world too much. These material and financial things will one day no longer exist, so be mindful of how much focus, love and attention you give them now. Learn to live for eternity in heaven, not for temporary satisfaction on Earth. This is what Jesus teaches about such things;

Matthew 6:19 - 24

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 

Where is your treasure? How much do you have an Earth and how much are you storing in Heaven? It matters where you put your resources. You would be a fool to choose a low interest bank account when you know there is a higher rate one available. Which have you chosen? Are you investing in the guaranteed high interest bank of heaven which will last you for eternity, or are you investing in lower value here in the world? 

Jesus makes it clear, - you can serve either God or money, not both, there is no middle ground. Money and possessions are resources, they should never become more than something that is utilised, and the most importnat thing that you can use them for is for the Kingdom of Heaven. There is a choice that you have made already about how you use the treasures at your disposal, but is it the right one? Jesus wants you to clearly see what you are doing (v22-23). He removes the darkness, so what are your sights set on? What are your aspirations and the things that you focus on in life? For you can either serve God, or serve money. One has eternal importance, and the other is temporary. 

Who really is your Master? You could be storing up plenty of resources and investing in a financially secure future on earth, like many people do who do not know God. Why are you doing that? What is your security really in? Are you thinking if you have enough then you and your family will be ok? If that is where you have hope and trust then you have missed how big God is, and you are blind to the sin and destruction in the world that could so easily snatch it away. God is far more capable of truly taking care of your family in the here and now, the future, and for all of eternity. Are you investing in the best place for them? It will mean a less comfortable earthly life if you are investing in the Kingdom of Heaven, but the reward will be infinitely greater. God is greater than the highest interest rate, more powerful than any government or authority, richer than any business person and more stable than any stocks, shares or investment strategies. God is stable and sure. He guarantees you a great reward when you serve Him and invest in His Kingdom. So, where are you putting your trust? What has your focus, love and attention? Do you want to invest in eternal certainty, or temporal instability? Choose where your treasure will be. 

Do not be like the hypocrites!

God loves people that are genuine. He knows who they are and what they look like. He can tell the difference between someone who is putting on a good show, and those who are seriously following Him. He knows what genuine prayer is like, genuine kindness and genuine devotion. Those who truly love God are genuine and they do not pay much attention about what others think of them, for they have understood that what God sees in them is much more important. They are God-pleasers not people pleasers because they genuinely do their best to put God first. Some people are not like this and even use faith based activities like prayer or fasting to try to impress others rather than focusing on God. Here is what Jesus has to say about that;

Matthew 6:16–24 (ESV): 

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

How you appear to God is far more important than how man sees you. Do not put on appearances for people, but spend more time preparing your mind and heart to meet with God. Then you will avoid being a hypocrite. It is easy to become one, saying and doing things that are good principles but not following them through in your own life. It is like someone telling others not to smoke because it is bad for you, and doing it themselves. Here Jesus calls people hypocrites who go without food (fast) but are making a show of it by ensuring that they look hungry and miserable. It seems that they even forgo washing as well just to make sure people know that they are without food (v17). This is not what God desires from fasting. For those giving up food in this way are not putting God first or being genuine in their faith. 

Fasting is giving up food for a period of time to show reliance on God, get closer to Him, spend usual eating times thinking about Him, praying, and reading Scripture. It is a chance to show how much you depend on God for your survival and comfort depend on Him when you fast. You will feel physical hunger, but denying that in order to set aside comfort to focus on God is a good thing. It shows humility before God and reliance on Him to fulfill your every need. This is genuine faith. Fasting is an opportunity to focus on God, spend time with Him, listen and speak to Him and show loyalty and love to Him. You know and God know if this is your attitude when you fast. Fasting is about putting God first, above even your physical needs to remember who really is the most important One.

As a follower of God, you should have times of fasting in your life. Jesus expects you to. So, when you do, do not make a fuss, do not tell everyone about it, just get on with it and honour God in it. Get on with your life as usual, wash, dress yourself as normal and make an effort during the fast to be kind and loving to others, not allowing hunger to impact your emotions or responses. There is no point trying to do something for God if you are going to do it in a manner that dishonours Him, so you need to be mindful of your reactions during fasting times and continue to honour God by loving the people around you, otherwise you can fall into the hypocrite category.

Although Jesus says that ‘your fasting may not be seen by others’ it does not mean that you should not fast as a church about a matter, or as a group praying about an issue. For as you do others will be aware that you are taking part. This is not the situation that Jesus is talking about in this passage. Jesus is talking about when you personally decide to fast, do not boast about it, but be genuine. Jesus is clear that when you fast, God does not want you to make a fuss about it. Just get on with life and the people around you, you should be able to fast and be yourself. The ‘hypocrites’ go about their daily lives doing it wearing expressions of misery and moaning about how hungry they are, they maybe even fast washing so that everyone they meet can ask what was wrong, and they may excuse their being snappy or angry with hunger. This is not behaviour that God approves, and He calls it hypocrisy, Do not be like that. 

Fasting is hard. You deny yourself food for a set time to honour God. This includes what you put in your mouth and what comes out of it. Your behaviour and interactions with others matter just as much as your dedication to fasting. Just because you are hungry it does not mean it is ok to be rude or unkind, you will have to manage your attitude. It is difficult, but not impossibile as you have a great God that you can rely on for the strength you do not have. To truly fast, you put God first, no-one or nothing else. It is an act of humility, love and dedication to Him, so when you next choose to fast check your attitude and desires before you begin for it is not easy, and you want to ensure that you will honour God in it. 

Pray right

Matthew 6:5–15 (ESV): 

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: 

  “Our Father in heaven, 

  hallowed be your name. 

 10  Your kingdom come, 

  your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

 11  Give us this day our daily bread, 

 12  and forgive us our debts, 

as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

 13  And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil. 

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

Prayer is important. You should do it, and do it well. Yet prayer is not something to be proud of, boast about or to be intellectually profound. Prayer is talking to your Father in heaven. When you talk to a loving parent your speech is natural, you can speak honestly and with emotion. You do not need fancy words for a good parent knows their child, understands their simple language and the emotions they express. They can certainly tell if their child is showing off or not being genuine in what they are saying. God is like that, He is the perfect parent and He knows you perfectly well. You can be yourself when you speak with Him, your natural, normal, everyday self. You do not need to be intellectual, use theological vocabulary, over emphasise, impress or pray what you think is expected. You are speaking to someone who really knows you and loves you so you can be real and raw. You do not have to impress God or make Him think a certain way. Prayer is a chance for you to be heard and to hear what you need to from your loving Father in heaven. 

So, how do you begin to pray?

Jesus tells us that remembering God’s position as Father and His holiness is a good place to start (v9). Recall your relationship with God, and His nature. He is loving, kind, supportive and powerful, plus He is also pure and holy. It is important that you acknowledge that. By so doing you are recalling the great privilege of being in His presence, and the honour of being able to speak with Him. God is your holy Father, so start talking to Him by thinking about that first. 

Next acknowledge that God’s kingdom is different and better (v10). The way God works is not the same as the way the world works. So, asking for His kingdom to come means asking for His values to be displayed here on Earth. Asking for God’s will is asking for that to be of more importance than the things you want. Your desires are not always holy and pure like God’s, so do not insist on your own way being fulfilled, but learn to trust God that His way is best. Feel free to ask for what you want, but do not lose hope or faith if the things you want do not come about, God has a different plan than yours and it is a good one.

God will provide your everyday needs, so acknowledge tht. Do not take for granted the gift of the 'daily bread' that He gives you. Ask for it, and appreciate the provision from the hand of God for every mouthful, for every word of wisdom and for every breath. It all comes from Him.

Jesus also says that when you pray, remember that you need forgiveness. Ask for it. God is willing and able to forgive you. The reason you can even approach God is because you have been forgiven and are being forgiven due to Jesus laying down his life. When you pray, it is important that you take time to consider this. Asking for forgiveness is an opportunity for you to reflect on what has happened that you regret and have done (or thought) wrong and receive fresh mercy. As you do this, remember those that you need to forgive. For Jesus says that you will be forgiven as you forgive others. So, be generous in forgiveness. As you pray, ask God to help you do that, even if you have asked Him before. I have had to remind myself that i have forgiven some people multiple times, and have kept on asking for God’s strength to do it. That is ok. You can keep asking, God is a loving Father and He is patient and kind, and He will help you do the things that are hard if you are willing to do it. God is still needing to forgive you,  so make sure you to do the same for others. As you ask God to forgive, you do not want to continue in repetitive sin so ask God to help you avoid temptation. That may look like stopping going to certain places or. being around particular people. God can help, so ask Him. Show Him that you really want to get rid of the sin that seems to plague you, ask for His help.

The power of praying like Jesus modelled is the humility it builds in you. Humans are great at thinking they are greatly important. Praying in this manner causes you to reflect on who you really are and who God is. God is pure, holy, powerful, loving and good. You are a sinner in need of forgiveness, just like those who have offended you. You need forgiveness, help, strength and rescuing. God can provide that. Therefore when you pray it is a good opportunity for you to reflect on God’s and your own character. It is not just a chance to tell God what you want or to show how good you are by prideful gratitude. Instead, it is a chance to get to know yourself and your maker. 

Which reward are you living for?

 Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV): 

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

How do you demonstrate good, godly character? Do you make sure others know about the good things that you do? Or do you do them and not talk about it? This doesn’t mean that you should be secretive, but it does mean that you should consider why you tell people about your attitudes and actions. It may that you share these things because you think it will be helpful for others, or to teach or encourage someone. This is ok. Jesus is not saying that you should live a life that no-one else knows about. What Jesus is saying is that you should consider the reason behind what you share, what is your intention? Do you share stories of your own goodness in ‘order to be seen’ or because actually it is a helpful or encouraging lesson? You know the difference, others might not, but you do. If you talk about what you are doing in order to show off, then you are waiting for the response of people to say how; clever, good, brave, or kind you are. You are living for the praise of man, not living for the reward of God. It is a stark reality that if you share things with others because you desire them to think well of you and praise you, ‘then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven’! Knowing the capacity and love of God, you are definitely much better off aiming to receive His praise than anyone else's. Yet His acknowledgement will not look the same as people’s praise. Plus, you cannot embellish the story when you are talking to God about it as He knows what really happened, and He sees your heart and intent. So, when you next want to share a story about how you have done something well, think about why you want to tell it. Is it for your glory, for the reward of people's praise? If so, keep quiet. Then allow God to reward your goodness when and how He likes, for the promise is that He will reward you. 

Jesus has already spoken in previous verses about how sin can happen in the heart and with unspoken thoughts. So be aware of your natural inclinations and ensure that you behave in a God-honouring, not self-serving manner when you wish to talk about the things you do. Consider, does the person need to know, and do i need to tell this? Am i desiring to share because i want recognition and praise from men? Live for the reward of heaven, not the temporal delight of people pleasing. Boasting about what you do for God or for others does not encourage or build up anyone other than yourself. People can feel intimidated or overwhelmed and feel that they cannot match up when others triumph in their actions, and what they do and do not give, so do not be like that. It does not build the love and acceptance that God desires and it does not reflect well on you. Instead, give generously and behave in a way that God desires - live to please Him.

Do you give to the needy? Jesus expects that you do for he says, ‘when you give to the needy’ - Not if, but when. That carries an expectation that you give to those in need. So, do you? God throughout Scripture says that we should out for, care for and give to those who have less in society. What are you doing in that regard? When you do give, are you doing it quietly and considerately? Do not make a fuss about what you do for others, just get on with it. Jesus is clearly saying that these things, God sees, even if other people are completely unaware, ‘and your Father who sees in secret will reward you’. What. marvellous promise, live for that greater reward.