Word Live: The Mentor-Judge
‘The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction’ (Proverbs 16:21). Think of those who have loved you enough to gently correct you. Thank God for them.
Bible passage
Matthew 7:1–6
Judging others
7 ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 ‘Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.
Explore
On a popular TV talent show each contestant is paired with one of the judges, who acts as their mentor. Although that judge cannot show partiality when judging, the contestant knows that their mentor-judge will later instruct, coach and encourage them to improve their performance, which may mean pointing out their mistakes.
Because we are slow to recognise our own sin (v 3), we need each other’s help. Turning a blind eye to something that is harming a Christian brother or sister (v 5) is not loving, neither is pointing out the fault with a harsh, critical, condemnatory spirit (v 1). We are called to be mentor-judges in our church community. We are to correct each other with humility which means being quick to acknowledge and deal with our own faults (v 5).
As a primary school teacher I regularly remove literal specks from the eyes of distressed children. Removing them requires extreme care, encouragement, gentleness, all underpinned by love that is determined to help relieve the child’s pain. That is the kind of help Jesus calls kingdom people to give each other.
Author
Penny Boshoff
Respond
‘Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from wilful sins; may they not rule over me’ (Psalm 19:12–13). Amen.
Deeper Bible study
‘There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.’1
As the Sermon draws to a close, Jesus turns to how the new community will practise internal discipline and pastoral care. How will the values of the kingdom of God be maintained so that the light of the gospel will continue to shine in the world? How might the movement avoid the temptation to turn in on itself, enforcing a legalistic identity accompanied by intolerance of legitimate difference and an attitude of superiority to those deemed to be deviant?
The word ‘judge’ here also reminds us that, ultimately, judgement is God’s prerogative alone. Human beings, including church leaders, must never pre-empt the divine verdict on any individual. We might paraphrase Jesus’ words here as ‘Do not attempt to play God’. This is serious, because those who dismiss people who fail to match their exacting standards in peripheral areas of belief or practice may be blind to their own hypocrisy and the danger they face at the Last Day. The contrast between the ‘speck’ and the ‘plank’ (v 3) lightens the passage, but demonstrates how absurd and laughable is the behaviour of people who judge others with a harshness that God himself will not own.
This theme runs through the New Testament. The disciples report that they stopped a man driving out demons ‘because he was not one of us’ and Jesus replies ‘Do not stop him … whoever is not against us is for us’.2 Paul warns against ‘quarrelling over disputable matters’ and reminds church members that ‘we will all stand before God’s judgment seat’.3
Jesus’ warning not to judge ‘or you too will be judged’ (v 1) speaks to us in the digital age. How should this warning shape our use of the internet?
1James 4:12 2 Mark 9:38–41 3Rom 14:1–10
Author
David Smith
