First: Cast Out the Beam Out of Thine Own Eye
Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: April 12th & 19th, 2022
Series: SCRIPTURAL PRIORITIES
Lesson 3: FIRST- CAST OUT THE BEAM OUT OF THINE OWN EYE
Scripture Text: St. Matthew 5:21-24; St. Luke 6:41-42
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” – St. Matthew 7:1-5.
“41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye” – St. Luke 6:41-42.
INTRODUCTION
Making our actions a priority, upon facing a decision in our life, is the goal of these studies. Doing this always creates a conflict between flesh and Spirit, since these are contrary forces working within each Christian. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” - Galatians 5:17. While we earnestly desire to carry out the commands of God in the order He has laiddown for us, performing them becomes a daily battle.
In our Scripture text Jesus presented us with two important needs: removing the mote from a brother’s eye and removing the beam from our own eye. Where should we start? Obviously, we have discovered a mote in a fellow Christian’s eye, and for his sake we feel an urgency to step in and pluck it from his partially blinded eye. Jesus Christ also recognized the need for removing motes; however, immediately He established a biblical principle of precedence. Before we remove the mote,the larger object called a beam, which blocks the vision of the one discerning the problem, needsremoving—first!
Personal introspection lies at the heart of Jesus’ teaching in this passage. How we all need a look into the mirror of God’s Word to see ourselves as God sees us. “21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” - James 1:21- 25.
Upon examining ourselves with the Scripture, the illumination of God’s Word enables us to see personal faults and the flaws needing to be dealt with.
Let us examine Christ’s teaching in context on this vital matter.
“Judge not that ye be not judged”
This oft-quoted verse is used out of context as much as any in the Bible. It is referred to quickly when we pronounce someone as evil, even when the Bible is clear on the matter. Vehemently we willbe told how we are not to judge any- thing or anyone as wrong or evil. None of us want to sit in the judgment seat, yet God allows and expects people to render judgment in certain areas according to His Word.
Judge—in this context comes from the Greek word krino, meaning to determine guilty and then condemn others. It is evident that Christ was telling us not to condemn, punish, or damn our brethren unjustifiably. It is also evident that He did not restrict or deny the scriptural responsibility of making godly, biblical, decisions as dictated in His Word. Rather, He instructed us in Matthew 7:1-5 not to condemn our brother over a matter when an even greater matter plagues us. If we do so, the same harsh condemnation or judgment that we issue forth on others will return to us. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” - Romans 2:1-3.
While judging is not the subject at hand, due to its implication in this lesson, let us consider the following biblical guidelines:
1. We are not to judge anything before the proper time. “5 So don’t get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the “Well done!” of God” - 1 Cor. 4:5 (MSG).
2. We are not to take our brethren to civil court over matters that should be settled within the church. “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren” - 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.
3. We are not to judge according to how things appear; we are to use righteous judgment. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” - John 7:24).
4. We do have judgment in things pertaining to this life. “If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?” - 1Cor. 6:4).
5. We, as a church, are to judge those who are within (saints); God judges those who are without (sinners). “9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?” - (1 Corinthians 5:9-12).
6. We are inexcusable when we judge (condemn) others for things that we do ourselves. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” - Romans 2:1-3.
““Well,” you may be saying, “what terrible people you have been talking about!” But wait a minute! You are just as bad. When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are talking about yourselves, for you do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in justice, will punish anyone who does such things as these. 3 Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and overlook you when you do them, too?” – Rom. 2:1-3 (TLB)
7. We make ourselves a judge of our brethren and the law, thus violating the law, when we speak evil of our brethren. “11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
“11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge” – James 4:11.
Paul judged cases within the church when members violated God’s Word. “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed” - I Corinthians 5:3).
Jesus gives the church authority to sit in judgment. “15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” - Matthew 18:15-18.
Measures of judgment are given relative to spiritual gifts. “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge” - 1 Corinthians 14:29.
Paul also issued a judgment, or decision, regarding marriage under certain circumstances. “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful” - 1 Corinthians 7:25.
“Casting Out Motes”
Jesus set forth guidelines and restrictions for all of us in Matthew 7:1-5 and Luke 6:41-42 when it comes to casting motes out of our brother’s eye.
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” – St. Matthew 7:1-5.
“41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye” – St. Luke 6:41-42.
Mote—comes from the Greek word karphos, meaning a small, dry stalk, a twig, a bit of dried stick, or a tiny straw or bit of wood, even as small as a little bit of sawdust. It is used metaphorically of a minor fault.
The scenario before us is: someone has a beam or a timber in his eye, sees a mote in his brother’s eye, and feels a God-given responsibility to remove it. Now we all agree that the mote should be removed; however, the brother should remove the beam from his own eye first. “Then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye” (Luke 6:42). A beam would naturally impair one’s vision to the extent that he might damage his brother while working under such conditions. This is somewhat like going to a nearly blind eye specialist and asking him to remove a piece of sawdust from your eye.
Jesus is not teaching against discernment or helping others overcome sin; instead, He is telling us not to be prideful and convinced of our own goodness that we criticize others from a position of self-righteousness. We should do some introspection first and correct our own shortcomings before we go after the “specks” in others.
Issuing harsh judgment upon those who are much less at fault than ourselves only brings a more severe judgment upon our own life. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” – St. Matthew 7:1-2.
Let us consider the following biblical principles:
1. All of us should lay aside every weight and sin that besets us. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” - Hebrews 12:1.
2. We are to be committed to the restoration of our brothers and sisters who have fallen into sin. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” – Gal. 6:1-3. “1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived” – Galatians 6:1-3 (MSG).
3. It takes only a little folly to destroy a reputation. “Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, a small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor” - Ecclesiastes 10:1 (TLB).
4. Little foxes do spoil the vine. “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes” - Song of Solomon 2:15.
5. A small amount of leaven can leaven the whole. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” - 1 Cor. 5:1-6. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” - Galatians 5:9.
6. A little fire can kindle a great matter; our tongue, a little member of the body, can kindle such a fire. “So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark” - James 3:5).
Small things do need attention; however, it is foolish to major on a minor while ignoring large,destructive elements in our lives. After the beams have been removed, then we can pursue the motes. May I remind you, though, how even the smallest of things (motes) can grow and become overpowering sins in our lives. In studying the seed that fell among thorns, we see this principle in action. Slowly the small thorns grew until they choked out life. “ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them… 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” – St. Matthew 13:7, 22. So will it be with us if we ignore seemingly insignificant wrongs or evils.
“Casting Out The Beams”
Jesus emphasized procedure, precedence, or order of events where motes and beams exist in the eyes of believers. First—the beam is to be cast out.
Our human tendency often is to major on minors and minor on majors. We go at the task backwards rather than according to the Scripture. We often place the secondary, first—and the first, second—in our procedure. When we do this, we approach our brother in a weakened, marred, and impaired condition. Then due to limited vision, because of the beam in our eye, we offend or do irreparable harm to our brother.
Let us consider the following references:
1. Some strain out gnats* yet swallow a camel. “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” – St. Matthew 23:24. “23-24 “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God’s Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that’s wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?” - Matthew 23:23-24 (MSG).
*- Gnats are small flying insects that include fungus gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies.
2. The Pharisee could quickly see the tax collector’s error, while over- looking grievous sins in his own life. “9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” - Luke 18:9-14.
3. The Corinthians overlooked moral corruption in the church, while occupied with other matters (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 7:1-2, 8:1& 4).
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” – 1 Corinthians 5:1-6.“
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” – 1 Corinthians 7:1-2. “1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one” – 1 Corinthians 8:1;4.
4. The Pharisees were deeply concerned over washing their hands and their utensils, while ignoring sins that defiled them within.
“Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” – St. Mark 7:1-13.
“23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” – St. Matthew 23:23-28
Following biblical directives and principles will assure all of us victory over both small and great matters.
Impaired Spiritual Vision
Perhaps the things God has pointed out in His Word that causes weakened eye- sight or spiritual blindness could constitute or make up some of the beams Jesus spoke about. If so, getting rid of or remedying these problems would restore our spiritual vision. Restored or corrected eyesight would then enable us to walk without stumbling, as well as help our brother to eradicate motes from His eyes.
Let us note some of the hindrances to spiritual perception:
1. Being lukewarm can definitely cause us to be spiritually blind. “14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” - Revelation 3:14-17.
2. Failing to add to our faith the seven things that God requires can cause spiritual blindness. “5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” - 2 Peter 1:5-10.
3. Allowing our eye to be evil or any portion of darkness to exist in our lives will cause us to be full of darkness. “22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” - Matthew 6:22-23.
“34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light” – St. Luke 11:34- 36.
CONCLUSION
We could rightfully designate numerous items and objects as beams. You know better than others what major infractions plague your life. For your sake, God’s, and your brethren, first cast the beam out of your own eye. Then, and only then, can you help your brother remove the mote from his eye.