"Don't Judge Me"

Criticism is an all too common occurrence, even among believers.

It is easy to look at someone else’s situation or way of doing things and offer a “creative comment” without knowing all the facts...

The story is told of an old man whose grandson rode a donkey while they were traveling from one city to another. The man heard some people say, “Would you look at that old man suffering on his feet while that strong young boy is totally capable of walking.”

So then the old man rode the donkey while the boy walked. And he heard some people say, “Would you look at that, a healthy man making the poor young boy suffer. Can you believe it?”

So the man and the boy both rode the donkey, and they heard some people say, “Would you look at those heavy brutes making that poor donkey suffer.”

So they both got off and walked, until they heard some people say, “Would you look at the waste—a perfectly good donkey not being used.”

No matter what we do, someone will always criticize it.

In fact, criticism is part of living, period.

We cannot do anything without being criticized by someone—The truth is people are by nature critical and condemning,.

A critical spirit, a judgmental, condemning spirit, is engrained into the human psyche.

Every level of our culture is immersed in it, and sadly even the church is impacting by it!

In practically every church there is a real danger of individuals or a group of them to exist who have developed a habit of criticism and condemnation.

It has happened to me and I’ve also had conversations with other pastors who communicated they’ve had individual members of their church tell them it was their job to keep the pastor humble and that is why they criticized them so much!

Keeping pastors (and others humble) is a job for the Holy Spirit not individuals!

As we begin to examine the final chapter of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus goes after our relationships and how we interact with people.

Please turn to Matthew 7:1-6.

Main Point: Kingdom Citizens Are Discerning of Others, But Not Critical.

Those who belong to Christ build relationships differently than those who don’t.

Remember what Jesus says in Matt 5:20...the righteousness Jesus speaks of changes how we interact with people.T

Both inside our community of faith and outside our faith.

Jesus does not anticipate that the Christian community will be perfect.

In fact, he assumes that there will be problems and tensions that create difficulties in our relationships.

How should a Christian view others and build relationships, especially in times that create tension and difficulty?

Recognize the Danger of Being Judgmental (1-5).

Do Not Be Judgmental (1-2)

Matthew 7:1 ““Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”

Many people, including unbelievers, have often quoted these words without a full understanding of what Jesus really says here...

What many are saying when they misquote this verse is that good Christians must never exercise any critical judgment.

They will throw these verses out like some trump card to justify their sinfulness and claim that model Christians are totally accepting of everything because Jesus tells them not to judge.

What they are demanding us to do is to avoid making any kind of value judgment that discerns good from evil, and biblical from unbiblical...just turn a blind eye to everything.

Jesus does not forbid us making value (moral) judgments about what is right and wrong.

The word “judge” here is the word krino, and it has such a broad meaning.

And so we must see the context to get its meaning.

In some contexts it means to evaluate something or someone either positively or negatively.

In others to judge in a legal sense...court of law

Some it is to pronounce guilt...Luke 19:22.

In Romans 14:13 it is translated as “determine”

In Matthew 5:40 it is translated as “sue”...taking someone to court

If we look at the context carefully and clearly we see that “NEVER JUDGING” is NOT what Jesus is talking about.

In v. 6 (will explain later) he refers to some people being like dogs and some like pigs

Wouldn’t that go over well in our culture right now...

Identifying the “dogs” and “pigs” takes discernment and value judgment.

In verse 15...Jesus warns us to watch out for false teachers who come in sheep’s clothing...

That takes discernment and judgment.

Many additional Scriptures exhort us to exercise judgment.

1 John 4:1 NASB95

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

I’ll give you three guesses what that takes...

John 7:24 NASB95

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

As disciples of Jesus, we have an obligation to exercise judgment!

So what does Jesus forbid?

We are to refrain from hypercritical, condemning judgment (1).

This means looking down on a person with a superior attitude, criticizing or condemning them without a loving concern.

That is exactly how the Pharisees viewed people...the Pharisees believed they were superior to everyone else...and treated them that way.

It is the harsh criticism that is negative and destructive and enjoys actively seeking out others faults.

It is the kind of judgment that seeks to identify motives. and is unkind, unmerciful, and ungenerous towards others mistakes and sins.

The key component is the absence of love.

There is a world of difference between having a mind that thinks critically to discern and a mind that thinks critically to destroy.

A discerning spirit is constructive and seeks to help the other person.

A hypercritical spirit is destructive and seeks to build up self by tearing others down.

The person with the hypercritical spirit expects and even looks intently to find fault.

Like the man who sat watching his preacher neighbor nail up a trellis in his backyard. The preacher, seeing him watching intently from his yard, asked, “Trying to pick up some pointers on carpentry?” To which his neighbor replied, “Nope. Just waiting to see what a preacher says when he hits his thumb.”

Once a person with the critical spirit discovers faults in another, he or she often continues to search for and find satisfaction in pointing out their faults and identifying improper motives.

We must beware the critical spirit, because it sets us up as the higher authority. (2)

Having that critical spirit communicates that we think we know what is best and have the right to hold others accountable to it.

Paul saw this as pettiness in the church at Rome and was not afraid to address it...

Romans 14:1–4 NASB95

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

He also addressed this with the church at Corinth where some were judging Paul’s motives...

1 Corinthians 4:3–5 NASB95

But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

The point Paul makes here is simple, yet so vital...

We are NOT GOD! No human being is qualified to be the judge of his fellow humans.

We cannot read each other’s hearts or assess each other’s motives.

To be so harshly critical is to presume arrogantly and usurp the authority of God himself.

Beware the continually critical spirit.

We must be prepared for our own standards to be used on us (2).

Matthew 7:2 ““For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”

Not only are we not the judge, but we are among the judged, and shall be judged with the greater strictness ourselves if we dare to judge others.

The rationale should be clear.

If we pose as judges, we cannot plead ignorance of the law we claim to be able to administer.

Romans 2:1 NASB95

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

If we enjoy occupying the bench, we must not be surprised to find ourselves in the defendant’s chair...

not only will other people use our standards against us...

...If we are going to be harshly critical of others then we need to prepare for God to deal with us accordingly!

“So that you will not be judged” in verse 1 is a divine passive statement implying the judgment coming for our critical spirit is coming from God!

James 2:13 NASB95

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Judging others harshly reveals that we do not understand God’s grace.

Remember, there is no one sin anyone else can commit that is greater than our own sins against Christ.

To sum up, the command to “not judge” is not a requirement to be blind, but rather a plea to be generous with our assessments that takes into account the grace we have received.

Don’t Be Prideful (3-4)

Matthew 7:3–4 ““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 behold, the log is in your own eye?”

Not only are we not God, but we are all fallible, fallen beings!

All of us are imperfect; none of us are exempt from making mistakes. None of us have arrived or will arrive at sinless perfection this side of heaven.

The picture Jesus gives here is as ludicrous and sarcastic as possible...hyperbole...

The picture Jesus paints here is of somebody seeking to operate as an eye surgeon by removing a speck of dirt from a friend’s eye, while a vast plank is in his own eye.

(Illustrate the silliness of this example with the projector pole)

The word translated “log” denotes a huge piece of wood, like a rafter in a house.

“Speck” is a small piece of sawdust.

Both the speck and the logs need removal...

The problem is the one attempting to do the surgery is extremely impaired!

What this communicates is that we have a fatal tendency to exaggerate the faults of others and minimize the gravity of our own.

Look - Greek word implies an intensity of seeing, as if our sight is fixed on something.

Notice — Greek word means to perceive, contemplate.

Our pride makes it so easy to magnify another person’s sin while minimizing the reality of our own.

In this illustration, both the speck and the log are sins that need addressed.

Pride blinds us to our sins...

We seem to find it impossible, when comparing ourselves with others, to be strictly objective and impartial.

In fact, what we are often doing is seeing our own faults in others and judging them for what exists within us...projection

So what we should do is to apply to ourselves at least as strict and critical a standard as we apply to others.

We need to heed the words of 1 Cor 11:31...

1 Corinthians 11:31 NASB95

But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.

If we developed the habit of thinking and acting the way Paul prescribed here we would much more gracious and humble when it comes to our relationships with others and truly helping them.

Don’t Be Hypocritical (5)

Matthew 7:5 ““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.”

Jesus speaks to His disciples here when he calls them hypocrites...before it was the Pharisees...

What makes us hypocrites is when we are quick to condemn someone for their faults and sins before ever considering the depths of our own faults and sins.

Notice Jesus does not say it is wrong to want to help others and offer to help them remove the “specks”.

Remember, the specks are legitimate sins that need addressed, not some “irk” we develop over how someone does something or if they do something we don’t like.

So we have to ask ourself if the “irk” is a sinful speck or sinful log?

When it comes to defining sin, God has the final say, not us.

Jesus gives us directions for avoiding hypocrisy...

Deal with our own sins first.

“Take the log out of your eye.”

The word “take” is an imperative.

It is a command that calls for immediate and decisive action.

“Do it, and do it now” is the idea.

Then, we can see clearly enough to help others.

“you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

We need to make sure we have all the facts...Proverbs 18:13.

Proverbs 18:13 NASB95

He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

Before we ever attempt to help someone deal with their sins, we must be working on our own, and we must make sure we know all the facts...very rarely do we know all the facts...

Jesus wants us to help one another deal with sin, but it must be done in humility and with grace.

Matt 18:15–20, Gal 6:1-2

Galatians 6:1–2 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

The issue is first to deal with our sins...

Not spiritual perfection, but growth!

Having first dealt with my sin, I am now rightly in a position to help others.

Part of being a body and community is that we love each other enough to speak truth into each other.

Ephesians 4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,”

The key is speaking in love...which is something the Pharisee’s never did.

Showing humility and grace means we approach others being fully aware of the lurking danger of arrogance, pride, and self-deception.

Recognize the Need to Be Discerning When Sharing Truth (6).

Matthew 7:6 ““Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Jesus brings balance and clarity to what he has just said in verses 1–5.

The words are extremely strong and can be troubling to our modern, politically correct ears; we have become morally unrestrained in what we allow.

Let’s break this down a bit.

What is meant by that which is holy and pearls...

What does “holy” mean?

“Set apart”

Real pearls are extremely valuable!

What have we been given that is holy and valuable like pearls?

The truth of Scripture and the Gospel!

1 Timothy 3:15 “but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

Jesus is telling us to be discerning of others attitudes when speaking truth to them.

There are certain times and places where it is not worthwhile to say a word. This is a judgment we need to make

Jesus gives us two reasons.

Some Tear Up God’s Precious Truth

“Dogs” are not the cute and cuddly domesticated pets we might have in the house to play with the children.

In ancient times they lived in wild packs that roamed the streets.

They were scavengers—vicious and dangerous.

Paul used this term to describe false teachers...in Philippians 3:2.

These are evil and wicked persons who despise the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truths of Scripture.

What do such people do with God’s precious truth?

They rip it to shreds.

Jesus actually personalizes their response, telling us that they will “tear you to pieces.”

Their goal is to destroy the message and sometimes the messenger as well.

Jesus warned us of this in Matthew 5:10–12.

Practically, Jesus is warning us not to force the truth on those who are not only unreceptive but are actually hostile to our witness.

Move on and seek out receptive ears.

Otherwise you run the risk of ravenous and savage dogs tearing you apart verbally (perhaps even literally).

Some Trample God’s Precious Truth

Pigs were unclean animals according to the Old Testament (Lev 11:7; Deut 14:8).

They are never spoken of positively in Scripture.

In 2 Peter 2:22 pigs and dogs are images for false teachers.

Here the truth is described as pearls (cf. Matt 13:45–46).

The “pigs” would be people who cannot recognize the beauty and value of the pearls of biblical truth.

They see it, ascribe it no value, trample it under their feet, and drag it through the mud.

They not only reject it; they seek to destroy it.

The phrase “don’t give” has the force of an imperative.

The idea is “never give,” “never do this.”

Jesus is his own best commentary regarding what he means.

Read Matthew 10:11–15.

Jesus doesn’t tell us to prejudge them and refuse to go to them, but to recognize that some will not hear, do not want to hear, and can turn on us when we do share...Only God knows the human heart.

We offer the good news to all without discrimination.

Jesus was teaching his people to use discernment when sharing the truth with others.

To persist in sharing with a resistant person wastes time and energy that can be directed towards those who do want to hear!

It can also destroy a relationship that might prove fruitful later.

It could even result in harm to the believer.

When it comes to sharing truth with others...

Remember we are not the Holy Spirit!

Evangelism is a process that takes both the spoken word and the faithful life of one changed by Christ.

We speak truth to them...but at some point there is no more truth that can be spoken and the Holy Spirit has to empower that word into them.

At that point, all we can do is live faithfully before them.

Always be ready to share when the evidence is there they want to hear it, but recognize it is NOT OUR JOB TO CONVERT PEOPLE, only the Holy Spirit can do that.

Lesson For Life: Build Relationships with Humility and Grace!

How His followers treat other people is a big deal to Jesus. 

We must be humble enough to recognize our own faults and be dealing with them.

We cannot effectively minister to others if we are so filled with pride we cannot see the areas of growth we need.

We must be gracious by using words that build up and minister grace...Eph 4:29.

We can and must speak the truth to one another...but we do it lovingly,

not with a critical spirit, but out of love for them and wanting to see them glorify God with their lives.

We must be discerning to know that not everyone wants to hear the truth or will respond favorably to the truth.

We pray the truth over their hearts.

We live the truth faithfully in front of them.

We love that person who needs the truth without compromising the truth.

And we wait for the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to the truth, as He has done  with us. 

Don’t compromise the truth...keep speaking the truth in love to them, keep living faithfully to Christ

Either the Holy Spirit will change them or He will communicate it is time to move on.

How do we know when to move on?...come back next week…

Homework for the week...In preparation for next week, read Matthew 7:7-12 every day this week and I think you will find the answer...

Let me give you a hint: Pray...