Matthew 7:1–12

Bible Studies for Life 
Professor of Religion, Samford University

Transformed in My Actions 

Matthew 7:1–12

Words lie at the heart of the universe. Sometimes we use words to impress. We have so many kinds of words in us and so many ways to say them. We say the words “I love you” with a different tone than “I can’t stand you.” 

In an age of 24-hour news coverage where we speak and hear thousands and thousands of words every day, it’s easy to forget how powerful they are. Words can heal and, sadly, words can harm.

When we were young we used to say to people: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” It wasn’t true. 

Unkind words stick and they hurt and they are hard to forget or take back. Then there are the words that are passed around about people, not spoken to them directly. The attacks of the gossips and the slanderers. They spread false rumors and gossip about people. Jesus speaks here about words that are judgmental against others.

Evaluate yourself instead of judging others. (1–6)

Jesus is speaking against judging others. This is not the same as having a judicious discernment but is a censorious spirit which delights in finding fault in other people and their actions. 

The picture of the man with a log in his eye who is judging someone with a speck of dust in their eye demonstrates how ridiculous such an attitude can be. It’s as close to humor that we find in the teaching of Jesus: irony. 

Seek God’s wisdom. (7–11)

The connection of these verses on prayer with what has preceded may be in the way in which we use words. Instead of using our words to condemn others, why don’t we use words by prayer for people? 

These verses reinforce the earlier teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:5–15 and does so by means of the “how much more” argument that Jesus used on several occasions in His teaching. If a reluctant and weary person will get up at midnight to answer the phone call or the knocking on the front door by a neighbor to give the person some bread for the sake of peace, then how much more will our heavenly Father answer our prayers? 

Why do we waste our time, our emotional energy and our words on harming other people, when we could be spending time in prayer, thinking of these very people and praying to God for them?

Treat others the way you want to be treated. (12)

This verse is often referred to as the “Golden Rule.” It is the summary and quintessence of the previous 11 verses. It seems to Jesus to sum up the “law and the prophets” which spoke of the majority of the Hebrew Bible. 

To follow this command of Jesus is to cease being confrontational and critical toward others and to be considerate of their life situation. It means we ensure that we don’t use our position in the family, the workplace and even the church in a way that is abusive. Rather we will be gentle. 

This doesn’t mean being without convictions, but being willing to hear different aspects of a situation and come to a measured judgment which is gentle and reasonable, and always impartial and sincere. 

Mercy is compassion driven to action. It’s not just a feeling — it works itself out in daily living.

Why don’t you try it?