Judging (1)
AN INTRODUCTORY STORY: Steven Covey tells in 7 Habits for Highly Effective People, the story of a man who riding an a bus and was greatly disturbed at a young boy who was running up and down the aisle of the bus screaming and laughing at the top of his lungs, while the young boy’s Dad just sat idly by. The man could not believe that someone would be so rude and inconsiderate, of the other people around him. He then began to notice other unflattering things about the man. His hair was unkempt so he was probably homeless, and his eyes were bloodshot, so he had to be an alcoholic. Finally not able to take anymore of the child this man went and approached the dad and demanded that he get control of his young son. The dad seeming to be shaken from a trance apologized to the man and told him that the boy’s mom, his wife, had just died at the hospital after struggling all night and he was trying to think of a way to break the news to the boy. Ref: SermonCentral.Com. Illustration results for Matthew 7:1-5. Accessed August 14, 2011.
COMMENT:
Judging, I cannot recall how many Christian/non-Christian folk have flippantly quoted (and misapplied the intended meaning of Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged, for the sake of proving a point. Unfortunately, many of us Christian folk ARE the most judgmental and critically condemning persons around. Are we CONFUSED yet? Judging is a necessary part of the Christian life and is spoken of in Scripture far more than NOT-Judging. Yes, we ARE to judge: in 1Co 6:2 it states, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters”? BUT, it is the motives behind our judgment that are to be self- examined; and, ultimately judged by God.
OUR TEXT: (2)
Matthew 7:1- 3: (1) Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Luke 6:37-38: (3) (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 11:29: (4) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Remember: Jesus is our ultimate example!
INTRODUCTION: SO, How are we to judge others? The Bible tells us in our text passage “not to judge” others. YET, in other biblical passages we are certainly told that we ARE ‘to judge.” This morning I want to examine our Lord’s words found in Matthew Seven and add some clarity to his teaching.
I) LOOKING AT JUDGMENT IN THE BIBLE
A) NOTE: There are multiple types of judgment mentioned in Scripture; by multiple authors (David, Jesus, Paul, Peter, James are just a few).
1. ANALYSIS: When are we to NOT JUDGE harshly? Let’s carefully note WE ARE NOT to judge another’s heart or motives.
2. EXAMPLES
a) In Regards to One’s Faith: (5) Romans 14:3-4, 10, 13: Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (4 ) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand . . . (10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ . . . (13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
b) In Regards to One’s Conscious: (6) for what he feels is right before the Lord: 1Co 10:29, 31: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience . . . (31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1. Here, Paul is dealing with meats offered to idols. In a nutshell, Paul is saying though his conscious is free to eat the meats, if it offends thy weaker brother, don’t do it because ultimately it would not glory God only satisfy self.
c) In Regards of One’s Freedom (7) from legalistic Observances of meat, drink and consecrated days: Col 2:16: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: . . . NOTE: In verse 14 we see the law was nailed to the cross; therefore, do not allow your freedoms to be judged by another’s legalistic rituals.
d) A Judgment Stemming from a Critical Heart: (8) Speaking judgments upon thy brother: James 4:11-12: Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
1. Here the idea is one of humbleness and humility: vs. 10: James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
2. JUDGING- Scripture has three broad categories when examining judgments: (1) Those made by God (2) Those made by Christ (3) Those made by Christian believers.
a) By God
1. Psa 96:13: Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. OTHER PASSAGES: 1 Chron. 16:33: to judge the earth; Psa. 9:7: throne prepared for judgment; Eccl 3:17: will judge righteous and wicked; Acts 17:31: He will judge the world; Rom. 2:16: the secrets of men.
b) By Christ
1. 2Co 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. OTHER PASSAGES: Matt 12:36: every idle word; Heb 10:30: Vengenth belongs to Him; 1 Pet. 4:5: will judge the quick [alive] and dead.
2. 2Ti 4:1: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
c) By Christians- WE ARE TO JUDGE: Because we must not judge others, which is a great sin (if done censoriously), it does not therefore mean that we must NOT reprove others, which is a great duty. It may be a means of saving a soul from death. In Matt 7:5 shows we ARE to judge after self-examination; verse 6 tells us not all will receive (so don’t cast holy things to the dogs); and, some will react very violently (turn and tear you).
1. EXAMPLE OF PETER- His supposition on forgiveness- Luke 7:43: Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
2. SELF JUDGMENT- 1Co 11:31: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. HERE: Paul is speaking in regards to partaking of the Lord’s supper. Prior to we should: EXAMINE our hearts; JUDGE our sins; and, CONFESS them before the Lord.
3. FALSE PROPHETS- 1Jn 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
4. BY THEIR FRUITS (Matt 7:15-20) - NOT THEIR MOTIVES (Matt. 7:1-5).
Mat 7:15-17: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
B) Word Uses for Judgment
1. The work used in Matthew 7: 1 is the Greek verb, Krino; Vines defines it as, “to assume the office of a judge. We find the same Greek word used in John 3:17… For God sent not his Son into the world to [krino] condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Ref: Vines, W.E. King James Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001) 610. POINT: 2.
2. We get our English word “critic” from this Greek word. This is the judgment CHRISTIANS are not to exercise.
C) Text at Hand usage of “judgment.”
1. Before delving into our text let’s try to properly understand the time and setting of Jesus’ statement. In Matthew 7:1, Jesus is making a comparison between the Pharisees/scribes (religious leaders) condemning judgments with a proper understanding of what our (Christians) relationships should be with others. At the end of Beatitudes.
Matt 7:1
Judge not, that ye be not judged. (KJV) (9)
1) “Do not criticize, do not sit as a judge upon another man’s motives, do not attempt to interpret the desires of his heart.” Ref: Pentecost. Preceptaustin.Org. Matthew 7 Commentaries 1. http://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_71-2.htm . Accessed August 14, 2011.
2) “Do not assume the place of God by deciding you have the right to stand in judgment over all-do not do it, I say, in order to avoid being called to account by the God whose place you usurp (cf. b Shabbath 127b; M Sotah 1:7; b Baba Metzia 59b).” Ref: (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing. Preceptaustin.Org. Matthew 7 Commentaries 1. http://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_71-2.htm . Accessed August 14, 2011.
Matt 7:2 (10)
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Example: Pharisees judging disciples for eating with unwashed hands; while, encouraging contempt towards parents)
BREAD AND BUTTER ILL: A small-town baker bought his butter from a local farmer. After weighing his butter, he concluded the farmer had been reducing the amount in the packages but charging the same. Therefore, the baker accused the farmer of fraud. In court the judge asked the farmer, “Do you have measuring weights?” “No sir,” replied the farmer. “How then do you manage to weigh the butter that you sell?” The farmer answered, “When the baker began buying his butter from me, I thought I’d better get my bread from him. I have been using his 1-pound loaf as the weight for the butter I sell. If the weight of the butter is wrong, he has only himself to blame.” Ref: Preceptaustin.Org. Matthew 7 Commentaries 1. http://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_71-2.htm . Accessed August 14, 2011.
Matt 7:3 (11)
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
1) “He is comparing a little piece of sawdust in your brother’s eye to the great big redwood log in your own eye. The ‘log’ is the spirit of criticism and prejudice.” Ref: McGee, J. Vernon, “Matthew,” Thru the Bible, 5 vols. (Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 1983), 4:40. . . A HARSH and CRITICAL Judgment of another’s MOTIVES.
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS (12)
1. Where do you stand in regards to judging others? Are we judging their hearts and motives or their fruits this morning?
2. What about SELF examination? CONFESSION before the righteous Judge!
3. MOVING BEYOND JUDGEMENT OF ONE ANOTHER in the kingdom. WHERE do you stand in the ultimate future judgment before God: Heb 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Charles Spurgeon offers this warning: “If you haven’t looked at Christ on the cross, you’ll have to look at Him on the throne—with great trembling. The sacrificial death of Christ will be brought before the eyes of all who refuse to accept His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. In Bethlehem He came in mercy to forgive sin. In the future He will come on the clouds in glory to establish justice. What will we do without a Savior? On the day of judgment there is nothing we can do if we have not trusted Christ.” Ref: Contributor: Robert Leroe. Judgment for Sins. Sermon Central.com, Illistrations.Accessed August 23, 2011. http://www.sermoncentral.com/Illustrations
Remember this when judging others, do so with a loving spirit: 1Co 13:4- 7: (4) Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; (5)m Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; (6) It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; (7) Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things. (BBE Paraphrasing).
WON’T YOU ACCEPT CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR TODAY? (13)
ENCLOSURE #1
A Practical Checklist – Are You Judging With A Condemning Spirit?
IF YOU ARE . . .
• Blowing small things all out of proportion.
• Maximizing the sins of others—their faults, foibles and their petty ways.
• Coming to quick, hasty, negative conclusions.
• Making mountains out of molehills.
• Getting involved in situations where you should not be involved.
• Passing along critical stories to others.
• Having a strong bias to find others guilty.
• Being too harsh even when speaking the truth.
• Adding aggravating remarks when telling a story.
• Dismissing an unkind remark by saying, “I was only joking.”
• Saying something critical and then trying to cover it up.
• Being unkind and then quickly changing the subject.
• Telling too many people about what others have done to us.
• Taking pleasure in condemning others.
• Telling the truth in order to hurt, not to help.
• Putting others down in order to make yourself look better.
• Minimizing your sins while magnifying the sins of others.
You Might Be Judging With a Critical and Condemning Spirit
Ref: Pastor Ray Pritchard. Preceptaustin.Org. Matthew 7 Commentaries 1. http://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_71-2.htm . Accessed August 14, 2011.
ENCLOSURE #2
Here is a simple guide to help guide our speech. It’s an acrostic based on the word NEED.
N—Is it necessary?
E—Will it encourage?
E—Will it edify?
D—Will it dignify the other person?
When I shared that in the first service on Sunday, a friend told me that when his family eats dinner, they have a similar rule: The TKN rule.
T—It is true?
K—Is it kind?
N—Is it necessary?
Ref: Pastor Ray Pritchard. Preceptaustin.Org. Matthew 7 Commentaries 1. http://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_71-2.htm . Accessed August 14, 2011.
