Intro.

1. Jno. 8:1-7 - Jesus frustrated His enemies' attempt to ensnare Him.

a. Deut. 17:7 - Law also said the 1^st to cast stone was to be free of the crime worthy of death (witnesses & not participants).

b. Jesus impressed upon them that freedom from the outward act of sin did not necessarily mean they were inwardly pure & sinless!

2. Why do we unrighteously cast stones at others? - Jas. 4:11-12

I. HYPOCRISY CAUSES THE HYPOCRITE TO CAST STONES…

A. At Sinners While Committing The Same Sort Of Sins - Jno. 8:7-9; Matt. 23:29-35.

1. Hypocrisy is an inconsistency between one's heart & one's life.

2. It judges others while guilty itself! - Matt. 7:1-5

B. At The Innocent While Also Guilty Of Sin - Matt. 15:1-3.

1. Failure to distinguish between the commands of God & the traditions of men.

2. Failure to show mercy - Matt. 12:1-2, 7.

3. Failure to practice what is preached - Rom. 2:21-24.

C. Why Does The Hypocrite "Casts Stones" At Others?

1. To deflect attention from himself. Hypocrisy becomes a shield against being discovered by others - cf. Matt. 23:23, 27-28.

2. To display himself as genuine. Display zeal which distracts from inward treachery - Matt. 23:24-25.

3. To be seen & honored by men - Matt. 23:5-7, 12. (pride)

II. PRIDE CASTS STONES AT THE HUMBLE (Lk. 18:14; Psa. 10:2).

-(Pride seeks to dominate/control people & situations - cf. Jas. 4:10-12)

A. Out Of Self-righteousness - Lk. 18:9.

1. Justify himself in his own eyes & before others - cf. Deut. 9:4-5; Prov. 30:12-14.

2. Promote himself above others - cf. Jno. 11:49-50.

B. Out Of Envy - Matt. 27:18.

1. A companion of bitterness & self-seeking - Jas. 3:14.

2. Let us not condemn others out of envy! - Gal. 5:26

III. ERROR CASTS STONES AT TRUTH & THOSE WHO WALK IN IT.

A. To Destroy Your Confidence In the Word Of God - Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 14:37.

1. By casting doubt on the Bible as God's revelation - cf. Gen. 3:1.

2. By misapplying the Bible - Matt. 4:5-6 (Psa. 119:160; 2 Pet. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:15).

3. The truth of the Bible protects you from such "stones!"

B. To Make Room For Error - 2 Pet. 3:1-4.

1. Truth must be discredited so that error will be accepted - Jude 4.

2. Kill the messenger! - cf. Stephen (Acts 7:54)

3. "Stones" are being cast at those who teach truth, while error is not reprimanded and exposed!

C. To Shield Itself From Exposure - 3 Jno. 9-10.

1. Truth exposes error - Jno. 3:19.

2. Sin and error blame righteousness for its trouble - 1 Kgs. 18:17-18.

Conclusion

1. The stone casting we have discussed is the unrighteous judging & condemnation of others.

2. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt. 7:2)