GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - JUDGING WITH GRACE AND WISDOM

MATTHEW 7:1-6 - SEEING CLEARLY JUDGING WITH GRACE AND WISDOM

Chapter six of Matthew concluded with Jesus commanding us to worry less, don’t be anxious but trust God the Father more.  Anxiousness is a form of atheism as it shows lack of faith and trust but when we seek God first and foremost we can release the worry and rest in His presence and His provision.  Jesus told us 6 times to not worry not be anxious because worry distracts us from God’s faithfulness, and God loves us and cares for us deeply and provides for our needs we just need to seek His Kingdom and not control. 

And if we are not seeking His kingdom we can easily sit on His throne and start judging – Jesus starts in chapter 7 saying Judge not – it is a command judge not!  So as we being today let us pray!

Sermon Title:

“Seeing Clearly: Judging with Grace and Wisdom”

Big Idea:

We are called to examine ourselves before evaluating others and to use discernment, not condemnation, in how we relate to people.

Primary Text:

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.

Point 1: Check Your Own Heart First

Scripture: Matthew 7:1–2

“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.”

Illustration:

A person looks through a dirty window and thinks the outside world is messy, not realizing the smudge is on their own glass.

Key Idea:

We are often harsher with others than we are with ourselves. God calls us to humility, not hypocrisy.

This is still part of the Sermon on the Mount

         5:21-26 – be reconciled before you give an offering to God

         5:43-48 – Love your enemies

         6:12-15 – Forgiveness

DO NOT BE LIKE THE PHARISEE’S – have a righteousness greater than theirs – actually live out your relationship with God and not just in church, in the synagogue.

Like forgiveness – if you want then you – now if you don’t want then don’t

Mark 4:24 – with the measure you use it will be measured back to you –

         Reconciliation       Love           Forgiveness          Judgement

This is not about accountability – we are called to hold each other as believers accountable

         Accountability is constructive not retributive – build up and not tear down

Do not judge – do not condemn – God is the only judge

Supporting Scriptures:

Romans 2:1 – “You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself...”

James 2:13 – “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Application Questions:

1. Where might I be judging others more harshly than I judge myself?

2. What assumptions do I need to reexamine before responding to someone?

3. How can I cultivate a spirit of mercy instead of criticism?

Point 2: Remove the Log Before Addressing the Speck

Scripture: Matthew 7:3–5

“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.”

Illustration:

A man went to the doctor complaining of extreme pain in his eye. He told the doctor it got worse every time he drank. The doctor looked over the patient, looked at his eye, handed him his cup and told him to try and drink - the man was like thanks Doc what did you do - the doctor replied - I took the straw out of your cup -

A surgeon wouldn’t try to operate on someone else with blurry vision—they’d fix their own sight first. Spiritual clarity begins with personal confession.

Key Idea:

We must address our own sin before we can clearly and lovingly help others with theirs.

How often do we criticize others when our own shortcomings are more serious?  Don’t criticize in others what you would excuse in your own life.  3 times in chapter 6 Jesus refers to the hypocrites – don’t be like them – included here is don’t judge – take care of your life first before your criticize

What we are called to do is – deal with the sin in our own life and then lovingly confront and help restore a fellow believer who has sinned

Supporting Scriptures:

Galatians 6:1 – “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.”

Psalm 139:23–24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Application Questions:

1. Is there a “log” in my life I’ve been ignoring?

2. How would dealing with my own sin first change how I see others?

3. Am I willing to be examined by God before trying to help someone else?

Point 3: Use Discernment, Not Disdain

Scripture: Matthew 7:6

“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.”

Illustration:

Giving a priceless pearl to someone who sees no value in it is like giving a fragile gift to a child who just wants to break it. The value is lost without the right heart to receive it.

(AUNT DORA’s House)

Key Idea:

Not everyone is ready to receive truth—discernment helps us minister wisely without wasting or wounding.

We don’t want to waste God’s blessings and resources

This verse calls for discernments – who is ready to receive it – who will curse it or abuse it

There is a difference between spiritual discernment and judging others

Does not call us to not preach but gives us permission to move on in – Matthew Mark and Luke

Mark 6:11 – And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Supporting Scriptures:

Proverbs 9:8 – “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”

Colossians 4:5–6 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders... let your conversation be always full of grace...”

Application Questions:

1. Am I speaking truth in the right spirit and at the right time?

2. Do I ask God for wisdom before confronting or correcting others?

3. How can I be both bold and discerning in my relationships and witness?

Closing Thought:

Jesus isn’t calling us to silence or softness—He’s calling us to humility, self-awareness, and wisdom. When we start with examining our own hearts, we can truly see others through the lens of grace and speak with both truth and love.

LET US PRAY!