Judging Others – 7

Sermon on the Mount - 78

Matthew 7:1–5 (NIV84)

1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

We are allowed to help remove the speck from our brother’s eye, but there is a prerequisite.

Self-examination must come first.

Romans 14:1–23 (NIV84)

1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

2One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.

4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.

8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

11It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ ”

12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.

17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Romans 14:23 (AMP)

23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

R.C. Sproul: Frequently we acquire scruples and a conscience bound by rules never legislated by God. We may become convinced that a particular option is forbidden, which in fact is not (such as the case regarding the eating of meat offered to idols). In such a case, even though the conscience has been misinformed, if the person does what he deems to be sin (though in itself it is not) the doing of it is actually sin. It is sin because it violates the principle that what is not of faith is sin.

There was a conflict within the Roman church between believers with different convictions about food and religious observances. Some Christians felt free to eat anything, while others maintained strict dietary practices, and both groups were judging one another harshly.

When Paul calls believers to “stop passing judgment on one another,” he’s targeting a specific problem: the strong Christians were looking down on the weaker ones, and the weak believers were condemning the strong, creating an atmosphere of pride, legalism, and judgmentalism.

V. 13, Obstacle = σκάνδαλον skandalon = a hindrance that would prevent someone from avoiding sin.

The strong Christians were to stop condemning those deemed weaker (in their eyes) by continually judging them to the point that the weaker Christian is talked into or pressured to conform to the stronger Christian(s) around them. By doing so, they would violate their conscience and eat food that they believed was wrong.

V.23,. It was a sin because they did something against what they believed (faith) was wrong.

This was an action that did not stem from faith.

Scripture says that anything that does not come from faith is sin.

Disputable Matters

These disputes centered on “gray areas” in which the Bible does not spell out clear guidelines—matters of personal conscience rather than essential doctrine.

These gray areas are what Scripture describes as disputable matters.

Romans 14:1 (NIV84)

1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

Romans 14:1 (NLT)

1Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.

Disputable matters = διαλογισμός dialogismos = discussion, discourse; reasoning, thought; dispute, contention. Dialogismos most often describes the inner discussions, reasoning, or conflicts.

The Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament: “the now one who is weak in faith receive [but] not for quarrels about opinions.”

to argue about differences of opinion; to argue, to dispute, argument.

Disputable matters can be summed up as non-essential issues in the Christian life, or gray areas in which the Bible does not spell out clear guidelines.

While many things in the Christian life are essential, some are not.

The two specific disputable matters that Paul addressed in Romans 14 were chiefly regarding

which foods were acceptable to eat and

the observance of certain holy days.

He also touched on drinking wine in verse 21.

Disputable matters are differences of opinion over what is acceptable to God and not acceptable to God.

These are really gray areas that we are tempted to use as a club of conviction on another believer in Christ.

A disputable matter is any practice which God has not labeled sin that some Christians feel is all right, and others feel is wrong.

We may use a biblical principle as basis for feeling that a particular practice isn’t appropriate for Christians.

But unless God has clearly stated a practice is sin, our opinion is disputable.

Some examples in Scripture that illustrate disputable matters:

Dietary choices

Observance of special days

Food offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8)

Sabbath observance; Which day? Should it be observed at all?

The Sabbath command was given to Israel as part of the Mosaic covenant and served as a covenant sign between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16–17).

The New Testament does not place Christians under Israel's Sabbath regulations; instead, believers are warned not to judge one another concerning Sabbath days (Colossians 2:16–17) and are given liberty concerning the observance of particular days (Romans 14:5–6).

The Sabbath also points beyond itself to the greater rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4:1–11). Therefore, setting aside regular time for rest and worship is wise and beneficial, but Sabbath observance should not be imposed upon New Testament believers as a requirement for righteousness or salvation.

1 Timothy 2:9–10 (NIV84)

9I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Modestly = κόσμιος kosmios = befitting admirable propriety (decency) or moderation.

Women are to dress with modesty and self-control. There should be a sense of propriety, moderation, and a refraining from sensuality. Second, women are to dress not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes. Such items flaunted wealth and drew attention to external beauty rather than to “the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Pet. 3:4).

1 Peter 3:3–4 (NIV84)

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

The issue arises when the putting on of clothes (or the wearing of pearls and gold and braids) becomes sensual or showy. Women should labor to make themselves beautiful on the inside, not on the outside.

Colossians 2:16–23 (NIV84)

16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Colossians 2:16 (NLT)

16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.

Romans 14:5-6a (NIV84)

5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

6a He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord.

17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:

21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Eating, drinking, religious festivals, New Moon celebrations, and Sabbath observance are matters where judgment should be withheld.

Another Example: Some say we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas, others say there’s nothing wrong. There is nothing in Scripture that commands or forbids the celebrating of Christmas.

Jeremiah 10:2–4 (NIV84)

2This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.

3For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.

Some justify not celebrating Christmas or not having a Christmas tree in your home by taking this Scripture verse out of context.

This is talking about taking the wood of a tree that was cut down and fashioning an idol out it.

If you aim to worship the Christmas tree, then you shouldn’t have one in your home.

Disputable matters are matters where believing or not believing in certain things, practicing or not practicing certain things do not keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.

Indisputable Matters

Just because something is disputed, it does not make it a disputable matter.

What places something in the indisputable column is not whether or not it is disputed by some people, or has ever been disputed, but what the Scriptures consistently say about the topic, and how the Scriptures tie it to other matters.

In the past, smoking, drinking, and dancing were considered indisputable matters. Today, for the most part, these actions are considered disputable.

What constitutes an indisputable matter?

An indisputable matter is anything that God has called sin.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NIV84)

9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

These sins are disputed by many to not be sin, and therefore, not be wrong; that number continues to grow. But changing opinions do not change biblical truth. Even if the whole world believed otherwise, what God calls sin would still be sin.

Galatians 5:19–21 (NLT)

19When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,

20idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

(NIV84) “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious”

(NEB) “anyone can see the kind of behaviour that belongs to the lower nature”

(Amplified) “the practices of the sinful nature”

These practices are observable behavioral patterns rooted in humanity’s fallen nature.

Practices denotes that these aren’t ‘one-time’ acts; they are repeated actions that depict one’s lifestyle. This is their norm.

Ephesians 5:3–7 (NIV84)

3But among you there must not be even a hint (must not even be named, lsb) of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

Must be named = ὀνομάζω onomazō = to make mention of.

Mention, talk about.

Should not even be mentioned or talked about!

4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

7Therefore do not be partners with them.

The sins that the world excuses are not overlooked by a holy God.

2 Timothy 4:1–5 (NIV84)

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

John MacArthur: Those with itching ears harden their hearts and seek out soft-peddled messages that accommodate their sin.

They search for preachers who make them feel good, not guilty.

The false teachers are happy to oblige, tickling the ears of their audiences with man-centered messages and false hopes.

The seriousness of sin is downplayed and disregarded

Greed is promoted with promises of prosperity

Worship is reduced to vain emotionalism

Felt needs are highlighted while the true gospel is ignored.

Isaiah 5:20 (NIV84)

20Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Isaiah 8:20 (NIV84)

20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

There are times when we should withhold judgment, and there are times when we shouldn’t withhold judgment. How can we know for sure?

Are there any matters that some consider secondary issues or disputable matters, when, in fact, they are indisputable truths that should never be compromised?

To be continued… (the Lord willing)