Judging with Kingdom Eyes

1. ENGAGE

Have you ever noticed how often people say, “Don’t judge me”?

It’s everywhere. Social media, conversations, even in the church. And usually, when someone says it, what they mean is: “Don’t tell me I’m wrong.”

What’s interesting is this—many people think Jesus said we should never judge anyone. They quote Matthew 7:1 like it’s the ultimate command:

“Judge not, that you be not judged.”

But here’s the problem: If we stop there, we misunderstand Jesus completely.

Because just a few verses later… Jesus tells us to help remove the speck from our brother’s eye. And then He tells us to discern who are “dogs” and “pigs.”

That means this passage is not about avoiding judgment… It’s about how to judge the right way.

So the question is not: Should we judge?

The real question is: Are we judging with kingdom eyes… or hypocritical ones?

2. TENSION

Here’s the tension we all feel:

On one side, we know the Bible calls sin sin. We know we are called to help one another grow (Galatians 6:1).

But on the other side… We’ve all seen judgment done badly.

Harsh, critical attitudes

Hypocrisy in the church

People condemning others while ignoring their own sin

And if we’re honest… We’ve done it too.

It’s easy to spot sin in others. It’s hard to see it in ourselves.

So we swing between two extremes:

→ condemning others harshly Judgmentalism

→ refusing to call anything sin Relativism

And Jesus says: Both are wrong.

So how do we actually judge the way Jesus calls us to?

3. TRUTH (Expanded)

Point 1: Kingdom judgment refuses hypocrisy (vv. 1–2)

Matthew 7:1–2 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.

“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.”

Exegesis (Expanded):

Jesus opens with a prohibition—but not of all judgment. The grammar and context show He is targeting a specific kind of judgment:

Condemning

Final

Self-righteous

This is not courtroom discernment—it’s playing God.

Notice the phrase: “you will be judged… it will be measured to you.”

This is not karma. This is divine accountability.

Jesus is saying: The way you treat others reveals the standard you think is acceptable—and God will hold you to that standard.

This connects directly to Matthew 6:14–15:

“If you forgive others… your heavenly Father will also forgive you…”

In other words: Your horizontal posture exposes your vertical reality.

Preachable Development:

There is something in us that loves to sit in the judge’s seat.

We:

Evaluate motives we cannot see

Assume the worst

Speak as if we know the full story

But only God:

Knows the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)

Judges righteously (John 7:24)

Sees completely

When we judge this way, we’re not just making observations— We’re assuming authority that belongs to God alone.

Application (Expanded):

Ask yourself:

Do I speak about people as if I know everything about them?

Do I leave room for grace in my conclusions?

Do I feel superior when I point out someone else’s sin?

Because harsh judgment often flows from:

Pride

Insecurity

Or forgetting the cross

Big Idea (Reinforced):

If your judgment lacks mercy, it reveals you’ve forgotten your own need for it.

Point 2: Kingdom judgment begins with self-examination (vv. 3–5)

Matthew 7:3–5 ESV

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.

“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?”

Exegesis (Expanded):

Jesus now exposes the absurdity of hypocrisy.

The imagery is intentionally exaggerated:

“Speck” (karphos) → a tiny splinter

“Log” (dokos) → a load-bearing beam

This is not subtle—it’s almost humorous.

Picture someone with a 2x4 sticking out of their eye trying to perform delicate eye surgery on someone else.

Jesus is saying: This is what hypocrisy looks like.

Not just wrong—ridiculous.

But notice the verbs:

“you see” (present tense) → ongoing focus on others

“do not notice” → failure of perception regarding self

The problem is not lack of vision— It’s misdirected vision.

Preachable Development:

We are naturally:

Microscope on others

Blindfold on ourselves

We minimize our sin:

“It’s not that big of a deal”

“I had a reason”

And we magnify theirs:

“I can’t believe they did that”

“That’s who they are”

Jesus says: That imbalance disqualifies your judgment.

Key Phrase: “You hypocrite”

This is strong language.

It means:

Actor

Pretender

Someone performing righteousness without possessing it

Hypocrisy is not struggling with sin— Hypocrisy is ignoring your sin while spotlighting someone else’s.

Application (Expanded):

Before addressing someone else’s sin, ask:

When was the last time I repented deeply?

Am I broken over my sin… or just bothered by theirs?

Do I confess as quickly as I critique?

Psalm 139:23–24 becomes essential:

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

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

“Search me, O God… see if there be any grievous way in me…”

Clarification (Important):

Jesus does NOT say:

Ignore sin

Avoid confrontation

He says: “First…”

That word matters.

Self-examination is not a replacement for correction— It is a requirement before it.

Big Idea (Reinforced):

You cannot help others with sin you refuse to confront in yourself.

Point 3: Kingdom judgment aims to restore, not condemn (v. 5)

Matthew 7:5 ESV

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.

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

Exegesis (Expanded):

This is the turning point.

After self-examination, something changes:

“Then you will see clearly…”

Clarity comes after humility.

Now your vision is:

Less clouded by pride

Less distorted by self-righteousness

And notice—Jesus still calls him: “your brother.”

This is not an enemy—it’s family.

So the goal is not exposure—it’s restoration within relationship.

The phrase “take the speck out” implies:

Care

Precision

Gentleness

This is not forceful—it’s intentional and loving.

Cross Reference Development:

Galatians 6:1:

Galatians 6:1 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.

“restore him in a spirit of gentleness… keep watch on yourself…”

That mirrors this passage perfectly.

Self-watch → remove the log

Gentle restoration → remove the speck

Preachable Development:

There is a difference between:

Calling out sin

And caring for a soul

One seeks to win an argument The other seeks to win a brother

You can be right… And still be wrong in how you handle someone.

Application (Expanded):

Before correcting someone, ask:

Do I love this person?

Have I prayed for them?

Am I willing to walk with them after I speak truth?

Because restoration is not a moment—it’s a process.

Big Idea (Reinforced):

Right judgment doesn’t tear people down—it helps bring them back.

Point 4: Kingdom judgment requires spiritual discernment (v. 6)

Matthew 7:6 ESV

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.

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs…”

Exegesis (Expanded):

At first glance, this feels disconnected—but it’s not.

Jesus moves from:

Hypocrisy → humility

To discernment

This verse proves: Jesus is NOT against all judgment.

Because now He commands: Make distinctions.

Dogs and pigs = unclean, hostile, unresponsive

Holy things / pearls = sacred truth, kingdom value

The imagery is vivid:

Throwing pearls to pigs:

They don’t recognize value

They trample it

Then turn and attack

Jesus is describing people who:

Reject truth

Despise correction

Respond with hostility

Preachable Development:

Not everyone is in the same place spiritually.

Some are:

Open

Teachable

Broken

Others are:

Hardened

Mocking

Resistant

Wisdom means knowing the difference.

Jesus Himself:

Spoke in parables to some (Matthew 13:10–13)

Was silent before others (Matthew 27:14)

Application (Expanded):

This requires maturity.

Ask:

Is this person ready to receive truth?

Am I pushing something they are only going to reject?

Is it time to speak—or time to step back and pray?

This is not giving up on people— It’s recognizing timing and receptivity.

Big Idea (Reinforced):

Wise judgment knows not just what to say—but when to say it.

4. CLOSING

So what does it look like to judge using kingdom eyes?

It means:

You don’t ignore sin

You don’t attack people

You examine yourself first

You restore others gently

You discern wisely

Let’s bring it back to the Bottom Line:

Judge sin rightly—after you’ve judged yourself first.

Because here’s the truth:

The reason we can judge humbly… Is because we have been judged rightly by God.

And in Christ:

Our sin was exposed

Our guilt was real

But instead of condemnation… we received mercy

Romans 8:1:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

So now we live differently.

We don’t judge from a place of superiority… We judge from a place of grace.

Call to Action

So here’s the question:

Where do you need to apply this?

Is there a “log” you’ve been ignoring?

Is there someone you’ve judged harshly?

Is there a conversation you need to approach differently?

And maybe for some… The issue isn’t how you judge others— It’s that you’ve never dealt with your own sin before God.

The gospel calls you to:

See your sin clearly

Turn from it (repentance)

Be buried with Christ in baptism (Acts 2:38)

Rise to walk in a new life

You cannot see clearly… Until your own eyes have been cleansed by Christ.