PRIVATE > PUBLIC
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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? 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? 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."
Matthew 7:1-5
The ultimate judge of right and wrong is God, not us. It is tempting to compare ourselves to others, especially when we feel we are doing better, as this can boost our self-image. However, this competitive approach to being Christlike is misguided, as it overlooks the need for personal self-examination and humility. Jesus warns against self-righteous judgment, urging us to focus on our own obedience to God rather than assessing others based on our standards. To be sure, Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5 highlight the importance of accountability within the Church and how to address those living in contradiction to God's word.
While Christian accountability is essential, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 addresses the hypocrisy of judging others while ignoring one’s own sins. Accountability should come from a place of repentance and grace, not from a position of superiority. We are called to restore others gently and humbly, recognizing our own need for grace (Galatians 6:1).
The law of Christ is fundamentally about love—loving God and our neighbors. Genuine restoration comes from understanding and extending the same grace we receive from God. As 1 John 3:16 teaches, love is demonstrated through Christ’s sacrifice. Our approach to helping others should reflect this love and grace, rather than being motivated by a desire for public approval or self-righteousness.
Our focus should be on private devotion rather than public displays of piety. The story of Daniel exemplifies this, as his private devotion ultimately led to public honor and a deepened faith. Similarly, Jesus’ frequent retreats for prayer highlight the importance of private spiritual discipline. True strength and transformation come from our private relationship with God, allowing us to then “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).
"A lack of authenticity is one of the biggest reasons why men don’t get involved in men’s ministry. I get it; we all like to act tough, unphased, and cool as a cucumber by not showing big signs of weakness in front of other guys — especially among men we hardly even know! And many men feel like they have to put on a front and pretend to be someone they're not when they attend church or a men’s ministry event."
Scott Roberts
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to break free from the desire to appear perfect and to be honest about our faults and failures. May we be humble and willing to acknowledge our own shortcomings.
Grant us the courage to focus on our own obedience to You rather than judging others. May we be motivated by love and grace, rather than self-righteousness.
Empower us to live a life of integrity, where our private actions align with our public persona. May our relationship with You be a source of strength and transformation.
In Jesus' name, we pray.