Specks, logs, pigs and dogs

Here is a recap of Sunday’s message from Pastor Steve: “Specks, Logs, Pigs and Dogs”

We stepped into one of the most misunderstood portions of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ words on judgment in Matthew 7:1–6. The big idea wasn’t that Jesus lowers the standard; He raises the mirror. He invites us to stop playing referee with everyone else’s life while avoiding repentance in our own. The call is simple and searching: let mercy set our measure toward others, let repentance clear our vision, and let wisdom guide our words.

Pastor framed the flow like this: the Measure, the Mirror, and the Moments. The Measure is about the standard we use on others, because it boomerangs back to us. The Mirror is about humble self-examination that breaks hypocrisy and restores clear sight. The Moments are about discernment, when to speak, when to wait, and how to handle holy things with care. If we get this wrong, churches feel like courtrooms and families feel like cross-examinations. If we get it right, correction feels like care, truth heals, and grace becomes the air we breathe.

We also named a cultural pressure: quick takes and hot judgments. It’s easy to condemn a stranger’s post while ignoring our own patterns. Jesus doesn’t forbid discernment; He forbids condemning, harsh, hypocritical judgment. He puts the order back in order: repentance, then discernment, then restoration. Only then are we actually ready to help a brother or sister with their speck.

Practical takeaways:
• Slow down: be quick to listen and slow to speak. Gentleness and humility win hard conversations.
• Keep a mirror nearby in marriage, parenting, and friendship. Correct without provoking; guide like the Father guides us.
• Remember your own need for grace. The goal isn’t to condemn but to help heal.
• Choose a merciful measure. Your standard shapes your home, church, and online culture—and it returns to you.
• Discern the moment before you share truth. Consider posture, permission, proportion, and the Spirit’s prompting.

A simple discernment tool from the message:
• Ask four questions before offering counsel: What’s their posture? Have they asked for input? How much truth fits this moment? What is the Spirit saying?
• Use the traffic-light guide:
– Green: They invite help - share and pray.
– Yellow: They’re guarded - ask permission, keep it brief.
– Red: They’re combative - protect the pearl, de-escalate, stay available.

Pastor also addressed a tension many of us feel. Standing for biblical convictions without posturing as “holier than thou.” Christians aren’t called to be moral police for the world while ignoring our own logs. We take clear, loving stands against sin, beginning with ourselves, and we build real relationships that can carry real truth. That’s how specks actually get removed and how people are restored.

Below are the verses that were read during the message.

Matthew 7:1–6 (CEV)
1 Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you.
2 God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.
3 You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye.
4 How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye?
5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.
6 Don’t give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.

Luke 6:37–38 (CEV)
“Jesus said: Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.”

James 2:12–13 (CEV)
“Speak and act like people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. Do this, because on the day of judgment there will be no pity for those who have not had pity on others. But even in judgment, God is merciful!”

James 1:23–24 (CEV)
“If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave.”

Proverbs 27:19 (CEV)
“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face reflects your heart.”

James 1:19 (CEV)
“My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.”

Colossians 4:5–6 (CEV)
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of your opportunities. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant, so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.”

Proverbs 11:13 (CEV)
“A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret.”

A closing encouragement from the service: breathe this prayer—“Holy Spirit, show me my plank. Give me a clean heart, clear eyes, and wise love.” Then walk it out: let mercy be your measure, repentance your mirror, and wisdom your timing. That’s how communities get healthy and how people actually change.