Judging Others

PRAY

Lord Jesus, we cry out for your help. We recognize that we cannot understand your Word without your grace and your Spirit helping us understand. In our fallen nature, Lord, we do ask for an understanding, conviction and even repentance where that may be needed in a subject that is so important in the life of a Church body. We thank you Lord Jesus for your Word, allow our pastures to be receptive to what you want us to hear.

Good morning church family…

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Please turn to Matthew 7:1-6… this will be our passage for this morning as we continue through the sermon on the Mount.

And so we come to Matthew 7:1-6 this morning…

The Word of the Lord says…

Matthew 7:1–6 ESV

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 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? 5 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. 6 “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.

The Command and Reality (Vv. 1-2)

The COMMAND: Do Not Judge

We have come to one of the most well known scriptures in all of God’s Word… but also the most misunderstood and misapplied of all of God’s Word.

It really should speak to our culture… especially one that hypercritical at every turn.

Social media.

(Facebook post about somebody mowing on easter!) Can you believe that somebody would be mowing on Easter while others are trying to have family time!)

Sports parents

Softball Dad’s being hypercritical of an ump who is calling your daughters pitches a littler differently than the other pitchers… (mini confession there)

This scripture is especially known of people who do not know Christ and are completely lost from the knowledge of Jesus, (R.C. Sproul says that this is the text that every Pagan knows that is in the bible.”)

They may not know John 3:16… but they know Matthew 7:1.

(We live in a culture where everybody thinks they have the right to do whatever it is they want to do…. and that there shouldn't be any judgment for it.) EVEN CHRISTIANS…

When a brother or sister bring something up that needs to be address that is sinful within the person, when someone comments on a situation and condemns evil.

Some will use this scripture as a IRREVERSIBLE UNO CARD within conversations in which they do not want their sin or the sin of their close neighbor to be scrutinized or Biblically refuted.

Who are you to judge.

You don’t know the full story

Everyone has their own battles

stay in your lane

live and let live

mind your own business

They think that by using this card, they will be able to trap someone at a moments notice:.. not to go any further in their judgment of sin or evil.

So… how can we best understand what JESUS IS SAYING HERE TODAY so that we don’t misapply this in any of our future dealings with other like minded brothers and sisters in Christ.

I think it’s important here to begin with…

WHAT JESUS IS NOT SAYING…

Jesus is not saying that that it’s wrong to judge in the court of law.

For any judges out there within our court system… Jesus’ words here to not judge does not mean that you can’t be a judge!

There are many places in scripture where we are told of the necessity of such a judgment like Micah 6:8, where God commands us to do justice and ordains leaders to carry out justice. All throughout the Bible we see judges being appointed by God and doing good work under God’s sovereignty as the ultimate judge.

2. Jesus is also not saying that it is wrong to evaluate good and evil in people and in circumstances.

This passage actually highlights the need for this in the life of a believer rather than discourage it.

What’s the log in your eye?

In other people, what’s the speck in their eye?

We see in Matt. 7 how we’re told to discern what’s good teaching, what’s good behavior, what’s evil behavior?

JESUS ISN’T SAYING THAT WE SHOULD TURN OFF OUR ABILITY TO DISCERN BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL PEOPLE OR CIRCUMSTANCES WE FIND OURSELVES IN BASED UPON HIS MORAL LENSES.

THIS IS NECESSARY THAT WE DO SUCH A THING CHURCH. (TO EVALUATE GOOD AND EVIL)

3.Finally, Jesus is not saying that it’s wrong to correct or rebuke somebody else in sin.

Even in this passage Jesus is telling us to get to the point of seeing clearly to gently and lovingly remove the speck from our neighbor when they’re caught in sin.

Matthew 18 and 1 Cor. 5 we see this process of for confronting a brother or sister in Christ about an offense. We are to do this lovingly and gently, and if that brother or sister continues not to repent, we are to move through the process which may even lead to excommunicating, or excommunioning the church member. (go see our previous series on church discipline)

Someone may say… well that would be incredibly critical and judgmental… when in REALITY JESUS IS THE ONE WHO TELLS US TO DO THAT.

So, the judgment we see here in Matt. 7:1-6 is different than what we see in Matt. 18.

This is not at all what we see here in Matthew 7. This is not the irreversible UNO CARD that you think it is.

WHAT JESUS IS SAYING

But how is Jesus saying not to judge?

“JUDGE” (krino):Can imply to analyze or evaluate… But it can also mean To pass judgement on, to condemn, determine,

And so when Jesus is saying don’t judge… He is telling us to not think ourselves so highly to where I then place myself in God’s seat in an act of condemnation or determination of that individual, their thoughts, and especially their motives.

Do not place yourself in the place of God in your judgement throwing down the gavel of condemnation. THIS IS ONLY RESERVED FOR GOD.

I think of the Women caught in Adultery… (John 8:1-11)

The scribes and the Pharisees bring a women caught in adultery, they place her in front of Jesus and tell Him her act of sin.

The remind Him what the law of Moses says about such a sin.

They ask him what He thinks… (They’re trying to trap Jesus.)

Jesus then begins to bend down and draw on the ground with His finger as they continue to ask Him.

He stands up and says… “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Says that he bent down and wrote on the ground again. (WAS HE LISTING THEIR NAMES AND SINS?)

Scripture says that as they heard this… one by one they began to walk away beginning with the older ones.

Jesus and the women were left alone.

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

2. DO NOT BE CHARACTERIZED AS A PERSON WITH A SELF RIGHTEOUS, HARSH, CONDEMNING, JUDGMENTAL ATTITUDE. Do not be one who judges others hearts and especially their motives

(Pharisee & Sinner)

Luke 18:9–14 ESV

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ (Does the Pharisee know anything of the heart of the tax collector? They’re heart, they’re motives, conviction, repentance? NO) 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

And so we should in this manner… JUDGE NOT.

THE REALITY: We Are BEING Judged and WILL Be Judged (VERSE 2.)

Matthew 7:2 ESV

2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

THE REASOn>>> The reality is that God, and others, may treat us in the same manner we treat them. (Echoes Matt. 6:12, 14-15)

“This does not mean that God will use the same vindictive principle we sometimes use. Rather, Jesus is saying that the judgement of God on our lives will be based on our lives, and how our hearts expressed themselves in thoughts and acts toward others.” - Sinclair Ferguson

Quite simply… Matthew 7 is repeating the principle…

“If a person judges others harshly, he can expect harsh judgment from God.

However, if he judges others mercifully, he can expect merciful judgement from God.”

Here is the reality for those who have the Holy Spirit indwelling within their souls…

when we are walking by the Spirit in obedience to God’s Word,

we are carrying within us a heart that is continually thankful for the grace and forgiveness given to us…

THIS SHOULD retrain AND REORIENT our judgement upon others!

THE REPENTANT SINNER HAS SEEN THEMSELVES AS DESERVING OF A MUCH HARSHER PUNISHMENT AND WRATH FROM OUR CREATOR…

AND YET, BECAUSE OF HIS LOVINGKINDNESS, INSTEAD OF EXPERIENCING GOD’S BURNING ANGER, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S COMPASSION AND MERCY.

We take on the attitude of Paul in Romans 7 where he says…

Romans 7:24–25 ESV

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

BECAUSE OF THIS WE UNDERSTAND THE FOOLISHNESS, THE HYPOCRISY WITHIN OURSELVES WHEN WE HAVE CAUGHT OUR SIN OF JUDGEMENT.

JESUS PUTS THIS INTO A WORD PICTURE THAT HELPS SOLIDIFY THIS THOUGHT…

Illustration #1: The Speck & the Plank (Vv. 3-5)

It’s foolish:

SHOW PICTURE: I don’t think I have to go any further to show you the foolishness of what Jesus is explaining here than to show you this picture…

The first part we notice here is the foolishness of such an event… >>>while having a LOG IN OUR EYE… THAT WE ARE EVEN LOOKING INTO OUR BROTHERS EYE! (This in and of itself is foolish thing to do)

It’s ridiculous to think that you should try to correct your brother when you remain in your present condition!

Word for Log: δοκός (dokos): BEAM OF TIMBER.

Word for Speck: κάρφος (karphos): Can mean speck… or even splinter. You get the since of Jesus referring to sawdust. >>>Something you can’t even see unless you strain to see it!

Don Carson in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount reviews the foolish thought pattern that that leads us to this act of judgmentalism…

It is easy to see how powerful and dangerous the temptation to be judgmental can be.

The challenge to be holy has been taken seriously, and a fair degree of discipline, service and formal obedience have been painstakingly won.

Now, I tell myself, I can afford to look down my long nose at my less disciplined peers and colleagues. Or perhaps I have actually experienced a generous measure of God’s grace,

but somehow I have misconstrued it and come to think that I have earned it.

As a result, I may look askance at those whose vision, in my view, is not as large as my own; whose faith is not as stable; whose grasp of the deep truths of God not as masterful; whose service record is not as impressive; whose efforts have not been as substantial. These people are diminished in my eyes; I consider their value as people inferior to my own value.

In this… we have revealed ourselves to not be in full understanding of the mercy that the Maker of the universe by grace has shown to us.

It’s hypocritical:

This is the definition of hypocrisy.

- Appearing outwardly righteous to others, while actually being full of uncleanness and self-indulgence—(WOE TO YOU SCRIBES & PHARISEES Matt. 23:25-28).

How often do we criticize others for their sawdust of a sin when we have far more serious shortcomings in our own lives that are BEAMS OF TIMBER sticking out of our eyes…

Gossip & criticism: Women criticizes her coworker for being rude to others, and yet she frequently gossips and talks behind peoples backs.

Married life: Husband who criticizes his wife for her short comings as a wife while he himself deals with addictions and pride.

Parenting: A father tells his child not to lie, but then the child overhears their father lying later on the phone to get out of a commitment.

A church goer rebukes someone for missing church but secretly struggles with pride and self- righteousness.

Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount It Is Prideful (7:3–4)

Perhaps there is no greater example of this in the whole Bible than

Before we try being god in our estimation of others,

we do ourselves a huge favor when we FIRST BEGIN TO PURSUE A LIFE DRIVING OUT THE SIN FROM THE DEEPEST DARKEST HOLES WITHIN OUR OWN SOULS…

>>> And when we do this… this helps us reach the goal that Jesus mention through this illustration.

THE GOAL: (verse 5) to see clearly to take the speck out of their eye.

For us to take the log out of our own eye SO THAT we can see clearly to help our neighbor with the speck in their eye.

“Take” is an imperative. >>> to command that calls for immediate action.

“DO IT AND DO IT NOW”

Makes us think of Matthew 5:29-30

Matthew 5:29–30 ESV

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.

ASK YOURSELF THIS CHRISTIAN…

BEFORE WE EVEN CONSIDER PLACING OURSELVES OVER THE JUDGMENT OF ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST… HAVE YOU LIVED THE LIFE OF CUTTING OFF SIN AND PUTTING ON RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Notice, that verses 3-4 doesn’t absolve us from responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Once we deal with our own sin, then we are able to help others deal with theirs.

Which should be done in a spirit of love and gentleness.

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

1 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. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

With the goal of restoration and sanctification for the good of your neighbor.

Matthew 18:15–20 ESV

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. …

The Goal is to be able to rightly judge one another in our pursuit of holiness.

To clearly inspect, not blindly.

To lovingly correct the brother or sister.

With compassion. With grace. With Much humility…

>>>BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE JUST TOOK A BEAM OUT OF OUR OWN EYE…

and we understand the pain that it causes, the loss of vision, the despair.

And we also understand the freedom in having it removed!

We understand the relief.

We understand the enablement to be able to walk on a lit path while being able to see correctly.

We ourselves have experienced this freedom given to us by the grace of God and we want too our brother or sister in Christ to also experience this freedom.

IN VERSE 6, JESUS BRINGS CLARITY TO WHAT HE HAS JUST SAID IN VERSE 1-5. THE WORDS ARE EXTREMELY STRONG AND CAN BE TROUBLING TO OUR MODERN, POLITICALLY CORRECT EARS…

Illustration #2: Do Not Give Dogs What is Holy (V.6)

While we see here a warning against this attitude of judgmentalism …

He then gives us a warning against BEING undiscerning

We see here that even within our good, God honoring judgement OF OURSELVES AND OTHERS… Restraint is required.

Dogs: not the cuddly dogs we have in our homes and have adopted into our families. These were scavengers, vicious and dangerous.

May describe false teachers (Phil. 3:2) or could be the type of people that the apostle John describes in Rev. 22:15 as sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

These are Evil and wicked people who despise the gospel and God’s Word.

Pigs:

unclean animals for Jews

Natural opposites of what is holy or of what is great value.

Never spoken of positively in Scripture.

>>>Both dogs and pigs are used as derogative nicknames for gentiles within ancient Judaism.

Jesus used these two terms referring to those who are ungodly.

Dogs do not care about what is Holy.

Pigs recognize no value to the pearls.

Neither of them understand the beauty and the value of the Gospel truth nor do they understand the precious truths of wisdom and blessing.

They trample it underneath with no understanding and drag it through the mud after rejecting it.

And they also… at times want to destroy the one giving them the message.

They have no value of the message… they also have no value in the messenger.

WHAT IS JESUS SAYING HERE…

JESUS IS TELLING US THAT WHILE WE SHOULD NOT BE CHARACTERIZED WITH A JUDGMENTAL ATTITUDE TOWARD OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST…

WE SHOULD BE DISCERNING WITHIN OUR JUDGEMENT OF WHERE AND WHEN WE SHOULD BE SPREADING THE GOSPEL & COUNSELING WITH IT’S WISDOM.

we offer the good news spreading seed without discrimination of the soil. God knows who will come to Him… but we don’t. Nor should we think we do…

HOWEVER… when it’s rejected completely and at times with force…

we must move on and continue looking for the ground that will receive the seed of the gospel.

We do not show ourselves as being discerning when we try to continue to sow seed on a ground that is rejecting the very seed we are trying to plant into it. We must allow God to do more work in tilling the ground of their heart. (THIS APPLIES TO ANY GOSPEL TRUTH)

MAYBE A COUPLE OF PROVERBS WILL HELP US IN OUR UNDERSTANDING…

Proverbs 9:7–9 ESV

7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

See the contrast between the two…

Correction and reproof are good things… when you do it to the wise, receptive… they will love you, become more wise.

but when we are trying to do it with somebody who is a scoffer, a ridiculer, it is not wise.

If our efforts are not received… it’s best that we walk away.

Proverbs 26:4 ESV

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

So, if there is somebody who within their folly keeps on attacking you, there comes a time where you stop answering them, lest you become like them…

Jesus is His own best commentary…

Matthew 10:11–15 ESV

11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

Conclusion

And so it is for this morning church from Matthew 7:1-6…

We are called not to be judgmental to others without first examining ourselves and correcting ourselves…

Are you doing this believer? Have you adopted a life of actively cutting off sin and putting on righteousness in our walk with the Lord

Do you pray for the person who has been caught in sin before you go to correct them?

After doing so… do you practice the Golden Rule when you seek to help a brother or sister with the speck in their eye?

Do you speak the truth IN LOVE?

AND DON’T FORGET CHURCH…it is biblical and wise to discerningly judge those who forcefully and consistently reject the Gospel and and it’s truths…

Know that there are times when we must allow God to continue to work the ground for us.

You are not to judge, but you are not to act without judgement.

Spurgeon.

I stated made this statement earlier…

THE REPENTANT SINNER HAS SEEN THEMSELVES AS DESERVING OF A MUCH HARSHER PUNISHMENT AND WRATH FROM OUR CREATOR… AND YET, BECAUSE OF HIS LOVINGKINDNESS, INSTEAD OF EXPERIENCING GOD’S BURNING ANGER, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S COMPASSION AND MERCY.

I wonder who may be here today who knows they they currently sit before God completely and totally condemned?

You are stuck in the midst of your sin and you know there is nothing you can do to save yourself from this bondage that you are currently in.

I want to tell you beloved…

John 3:16–18 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Turn from your ways.

Repent of your sin.

And believe in Jesus.

And stand condemned no more.

End of service…

Ryan and Anna Substad

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you peace.

You are dismissed.