“I know someone who needs to hear this message.” Is that the way you listen to sermons? Do you think of people whom you believe have the need that’s addressed in the message? We call this “conviction by proxy,” as if the Holy Spirit is not capable of doing His own work.

Of course, the Lord does equip you for the task of ministry. And the truth that you gain an understanding of should be used to help others. However, God did not provide the message solely for someone else. He let you hear it for your own benefit. Jesus addressed this common problem in His sermon recorded in Matthew 7:3, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” The apostle Paul brought the issue into focus in his letter to Rome, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1) Both the Lord and the apostle are saying the same thing. When you choose to judge another, you are simply revealing that you have the exact same problem. What you dislike in someone else is something that you do yourself. Jesus uses the word “hypocrite” to describe this habit of examining others. I don’t want to suggest that we don’t have a responsibility to help others with their Christian walk. The Bible gives us much instruction for dealing with sinful believers. My counsel is the same that the Lord gave in His sermon on the mount. He commands that you, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) When you listen to a sermon, pay attention to what God is working on in your life. Apply what you hear to your “plank.” Then, if the Holy Spirit chooses to use you, apply it to your brother’s “speck.”

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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