Matthew 7 v 1-6 JUDGING OTHERS

First challenge Cultural context: Public and private criticism Generational mantra of “tolerance”

Second challenge Personal disposition: Self-righteous attitude “We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have done.” (Longfellow) “God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” (Luke 18 v 9-14)

“Other people become diminished in our eyes; we consider their value as people inferior to our own.” “Criticism is the disapproval of people, not for having faults, but having faults different from your own.”

Hypocritical attitude (arch critic): Actively seek out people’s failures. Enjoyment in finding fault. Major on minors. Pronounce on matters of no direct concern. “Attempt to build themselves up by knocking others down.”

Matthew 7 v 1-6 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

“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? How 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? You 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.”

“Do not give dogs what is sacred: do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

What does this statement mean? Never express an opinion about anything or anyone? Suspend all my critical faculties? Never make value judgements? Never choose between different policies and plans of action?

3 reasons Common sense Teaching of Jesus “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement.” (John 7 v 29)

Teaching of the New Testament: Governments/authorities (Romans 13) Church discipline (1 Corinthians 5 & 6; Galatians 1 v 8,9; and 1 John 4 v 1,2) Parental discipline.

JUDGE To discern or distinguish. To decide mentally or judicially. To give one’s verdict on or pass sentence on. Assuming the office of a judge – to pronounce judgement in a final sense.

“There is all the difference in the world between expressing an enlightened, intelligent criticism of a man’s views and theories, his doctrine, his teaching or his mode or manner of life and passing judgement on the person themselves.”

(1) Judgement belongs to God Given to the Lord Jesus Christ “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son.” “The Father has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5 v 22,27)

1 Corinthians 4 v 4,5 “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

(2) We will be judged Natural law of sowing and reaping. Final judgement. (2 Corinthians 5 v 10) In the present. (1 Corinthians 11) “But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgement. When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (v 31,32)

(3) Set the standard of our own judgement Full knowledge of the facts? Understand the circumstances surrounding a person’s life? Ready to excuse or show mercy? Listen to people’s arguments? Benefit of the doubt? Forgiving, understanding, loving?

Frank A Clark “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”

(4) We ourselves are not perfect Romans (2) “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things.”

John Stott “We need to be as critical of ourselves as we often are of others, and as generous to others as we are to ourselves.”

Galatians 6 v 1,2 “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.”

Colossians 3 v “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” Teach = positive truths of Scripture Admonish = warnings of Scripture Wisdom = insights to the true nature of things as revealed in Scripture

Called to MAGNIFY the MERCY and GRACE of God our Father!

John 5 v 24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”