Judging & The Golden Rule

Judging Others

Matthew 7:1–6 (NASB 2020)

“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Here we are at a strong pivotal and debatable concept, Judging. Judging has been apart of biblical and Israelite history for generations prior to the birth of Christ. The judges in the book of Judges, would Judge Israel according to their deeds, and would also be tasked with aiding leading the redemption of Israel for their various punishments. After the time of Judges did we enter into the time of Kings, followed by Prophets and then back into the the period of shared responsibility carried out by the Priests and namely a hierarchy based group of priests known as the Sanhedrin.

Sanhedrin

The supreme council and tribunal of the Jews during postexilic times headed by a High Priest and having religious, civil, and criminal jurisdiction.

The Priestly leadership, would judge the people for their acts but quite similar to what we see today, would judge or condemn in many cases for things that they had not worked out of themselves. Often times their position often came with certain levels of discretion that would not allow them to be “seen”. Jesus however as he continually has done in bringing the authority of the Kingdom spoke directly at the internal dilemma.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (krinō κρίνω)

κρίνω krinō, kree´-no; prop. to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by impl. to try, condemn, punish:— avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think

Because the Kingdom is about everyone, and truly making sure all were able to be reunited with God he comes to dismantle not hierarchies at large but THIS manmade divisive hierarchy. So he teaches us not that judging won’t happen but that we should be mindful because how we judge or the standard in which we hold others to, there will we be judged. The next step though is to not judge in such a way that is so harsh that it excludes grace, why? Because we all have SOMETHING that has to go! Jesus uses Hyperbole in Matthew 7:3

Matthew 7:3 (NASB 2020)

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

We tend to focus on someone else’s small issues, ignoring our large ones. This is not to necessarily suggest that we actually have bigger or smaller sin than others, but our sin or shortcoming is BIG to each of us.

What is/are your Specks or Logs? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you Asked Jesus to forgive you of them? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Since he’s done it. What tools (including scripture) will you now use to keep yourself separated from the act? ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:7–12 (NASB 2020)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (aitĕō αἰτέω)

αἰτέω aitĕō, ahee-teh´-o; of uncert. der.; to ask (in gen.):— ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.

Jesus taught in Matthew 5 the Lord’s prayer which was a blueprint or model of prayer. Here he essentially reestablishes the concept for he students in attendance. Along with praying correctly, there must be a consistent and persistent heart that the believer must possess. This shows the genuine desire that we as believers must have concerning the things of the Kingdom. He then reassures that what we ask for will be given to us, why? Because certainly our Father which is in heaven who wants us to be connected to him and blessed by him would surely give us what we ask for, FOR THE KINGDOM’S SAKE.

In Luke’s Account of this teaching he says Luke 11:13

Luke 11:13 (NASB 2020)

So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

He answers the question of what we should be asking for! The Holy Spirit! Why? Because

He Makes 1st Contact With us

John 16:8 (NASB 2020)

And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment:

He Regenerates us

John 3:5 (NASB 2020)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

He frees us

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NASB 2020)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

He Sanctifies us

Romans 15:16 (NASB 2020)

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

He seals us

Ephesians 1:13–14 (NASB 2020)

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise,

who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Now to the infamous Golden Rule, treating others how we want to be treated. Matthew 7:12

Matthew 7:12 (NASB 2020)

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.