Judging Others

Recap

Ok, now everybody go ahead and turn in your Bibles to Matthew 7:1-6 for our Bible passage tonight. And a quick recap:

What is this section of Scripture we’re studying called?

Who gave the sermon?

Why is the mount significant?

Scripture Reading

Matthew 7:1–6 ESV

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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 dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Jesus is warning us against hypocrisy again

Jesus warns us against judging others with standards that are higher than what we hold for ourselves.

Our eyes are drawn to the flaws in others when we have flaws ourselves, often greater sins.

We cannot “help” or “correct” our brothers and sisters in Christ with a judgmental attitude that ignores our own sins

First we must turn our eyes inward and evaluate our hearts

What is it that makes you notice other people’s sins?

What in our lives might other people be noticing?

What has God convicted you of that needs addressing?

What have people already pointed out that still needs addressing?

We must do business with God first. Ask God for forgiveness. Ask God for grace. Ask God for help in overcoming the sin.

We aren’t prohibited from helping our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We just need to do it with the proper perspective.

Galatians 6:1 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Remember that you are also a sinner saved by grace

Anything good in you is the work of God.

God has shown you forgiveness and will also show forgiveness to your brother or sister.

We must also be discerning.

There are certain kinds of people who will not be receptive to sacred, holy things like this. With those kinds of people, this kind of family teamwork to conquer sin just doesn’t work.

Those kinds of people will twist the truth, destroy the truth, and even attack you.

We can pray for those people to be changed by God, but shouldn’t be burdened of a need to do things ourselves to try to change them.