TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE

Matthew 7:1-6

INTRODUCTION

A. A favorite saying of many people is "Judge not, that you be not judged"

1. Frequently quoted whenever someone is pointing out the sins or faults of another

2. The impression is that we should never make moral judgments in what we see in others

B. Is that true? Is that what Jesus meant when He said this?

1. Are we never to make moral judgments about the right or wrong in others?

2. If we see wrong in others, can we never point it out?

C. Jesus' statement is often misused, for Jesus taught...

1. There are times when we must judge

2. There are times when it is appropriate to point out the faults in others

D. "To Judge or Not to Judge," that is the question before us.

1. The proper answer comes from a closer look at Jesus' words in Matthew 7:1-6.

2. First note how His words are frequently misused...

DISCUSSION

A. JESUS’ WORDS ARE OFTEN MISUSED TO FORBID "ALL" MANNER OF JUDGMENT

1. Such as adverse or unfavorable criticism

a. Like pointing out a fault in someone else

b. Even if it be truly "constructive" criticism

2. Such as the exercise of church discipline

a. Exercising discipline of any sort does require "judging" others as to their moral or spiritual condition

b. Since such "judgment" is involved, some feel verses 1-2 rule out any sort of church discipline

3. Such as exposing those who teach error

a. Admittedly, it requires making a judgment in order to consider whether someone is teaching error

b. Therefore, some people, in light of verses 1-2, believe we cannot speak out against those who teach error

4. Is that what Jesus means?

a. Must we remain silent when we see people overtaken in a fault, bringing reproach upon the name of Christ, or blatantly teaching error?

b. Let me suggest that...

B. JESUS DID NOT RULE OUT "ALL" FORMS OF JUDGMENT

1. Note the “immediate” context...

a. Which reveals that in some cases "proper" judgment must be made

b. Matthew 7:6… This implies judgment is to be made as to who are "dogs" and who are "hogs" 1) Otherwise, how can we know when not to give that which is holy to "dogs"?

2) Or how can we know when not to cast our pearls before "swine"?

c. Matthew 7:15-20… This implies that we must make judgments in determining who is a false teacher ("by their fruits ye will know them")

2. Consider the “remote” context...

a. Which speak of times when judgment must be made!

b. Elsewhere, Jesus taught people to "judge with righteous judgment" … John 7:24

c. Christians have a responsibility to "judge those who are inside" the local church… 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

d. We are taught by the apostle of love (John) to "test the spirits"

1) 1 John 4:1

2) This requires making judgments

3. There is no contradiction here, for as we continue with our text, we notice that...

C. JESUS DEFINED WHAT "KIND" OF JUDGING HE IS CONDEMNING

1. Judging when one is blind to his or her faults...

a. Matthew 7:3-5

b. Jesus is saying "that is it wrong for anyone to concentrate his attention on the speck in his brother's eye, and while thus occupied, to ignore the beam in his own eye" (Hendriksen)

c. Just Paul taught the necessity of proper "introspection" when helping others… Galatians 6:1

2. Judging without mercy and love...

a. "The Lord is here condemning the spirit of censoriousness, judging harshly, self-righteously, without mercy, without love, as also the parallel passage (Lk 6:36-37) clearly indicates." (Hendriksen)

b. James warned against making judgments without mercy… James 2:13

1) If we make judgments without showing mercy, then no mercy will be shown when we are judged!

2) Just as Jesus said… Matthew 7:2

3. The implication is not that we should never judge, but when we do judge, remember that we shall be judged by the same standards we use!

a. Let mercy and love temper our judgments.

b. Finally...

D. JESUS IMPLIES THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE "MUST" MAKE JUDGMENTS!

1. It is “after” we have corrected our own faults...

a. Matthew 7:5

b. When we have done so, we are able to see, discern (judge), and be of help to others who are overtaken in their faults

c. This does not mean that we must be sinless, otherwise we would never be able to fulfill our duties to correct and admonish one another

d. Indeed, "the law of Christ" requires us to!... Galatians 6:1-2

2. Again, we must judge between those “worthy” and those who are “hog and dogs”...

a. Matthew 7:6

1) Some are not worthy of that which is "holy"

2) Some are like "dogs" and "swine" - Determining who is which requires "judgment" upon our part!

b. With those who are receptive, we are to be long-suffering in trying to help them come out of their error… 2 Timothy 2:24-26

c. But for those who are not, we are not to waste what is good and holy on them!

1) Note the instructions of Jesus to His disciples… Matthew 10:12-15

2) Note the example of Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia… Acts 13:42-46

CONCLUSION

A. The kind of judging forbidden by Jesus is that which is self-righteous, hypocritical judging which is false and calls down God's judgment on itself.

B. This is the kind of judging that was also condemned by James when he wrote… James 4:11-12

C. May God help us to refrain from such judging...

1. And be more apt to remove the "beams" from our own eyes

2. And then to then be more useful in helping others with their problems

3. But to say we should never judge, is to abuse what Jesus teaches, not only in this passage but elsewhere as well!

D. Speaking of judging ARE YOU READY FOR THE JUDGMENT?