1. Common Struggles of Christians
JUDGING
Don’t judge me. You’re not my judge! Who are you to judge? God is the judge, not you! You are too judgmental! Who are you to say I’m living in sin?
Have you ever heard these statements or maybe even made these statements?
Last month I started a series a lessons from the answers to a question I posted on Facebook. Last month’s sermon dealt with Separating Ourselves from the World.
Another popular answer to the question: What do you think is one of the most common struggles of a Christian? was JUDGING.
One responded: Patti Lewis Reeves seeing our own sins as clearly as we see others!
Judy Roberts To quick to judge others.
Debbie Appleton He who is without sin, cast the first stone. All the while, we hurl boulders....
Shirley Mae Clinard judging other churches and people aren't we all guilty of this,
Since this is a topic that Christians struggle with, let’s take a look at what the Bible says about JUDGING. Are we to judge others? Is there a right and wrong way to judge? Who’s the ultimate judge?

2. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
What Does the Bible Say?
Matthew 7:1
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Matthew 7:1 Jesus said, “Judge NOT!”
You are accusing me of doing wrong. Jesus said to not judge!! You don’t have the right to tell me that I’m in sin. Only God can do that.
Many will take this verse and stop at verse one and say that you are not allowed to judge or condemn their actions or their sinful lifestyle.
In short, they say that any sort of criticism is contrary to God's Word because Christ here condemned all judging.

3. What Does the Bible Say? Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Jesus said…..Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Here Jesus is pointing out unfavorable and condemning judgment. He’s telling us that we will be judged by the same measure we judge others. Whatever we deal out will be dealt to us.
This verse reminds me of the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Why does Jesus condemn this type of judgment?

4. What Does the Bible Say? Matthew 7:3-4
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Jesus goes on to illustrate why this type of judgment is wrong…..Matthew 7:3-4 “3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Jesus is saying that sometimes we are so quick to point out the wrongs in someone else’s life that we forget all the problems in our own life.
Are we sometimes too eager to point out sin or even condemn others? Or are we quick to judge and tell someone how to live their life when we aren’t living right ourselves?
It easier for us to point out the problems of others than to take a good long look at ourself.

5. What Does the Bible Say? Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
We end up being the Pot calling the Kettle black.
One who responded to my question answered: We tend to want to compare ourselves to each other rather than to Jesus.
When we compare ourselves to Jesus , we all fall short and humility sets in.
Who is our standard? Look at Ephesians 4:11-13.

6. What Does the Bible Say?
John 8:1-11 Woman caught in the very act of adultery
Matthew 7:5
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
In John 8: 1-11, we find the story of Jesus forgiving an adulterous woman.
8 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus said…..Matthew 7:5 “Thou hypocrite……..referring to those who were pointing out the speck but had a mote (log)
Jesus explains how you are to judge or point out a brother’s fault…….
……….first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

7. “Judging is WRONG.” Self-contradictory
“If it is always wrong to judge others then how can you judge as wrong one who is judging others.”
It is like arguing that it is wrong to argue.

8. What Does the Bible Say? 2 Corinthians 13:5
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Before we pass judgment….we must take a long look out SELF!
2 Corinthians 13:5 “5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Another version reads:
5 Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. Don’t you realize that Christ Jesus is in you? Of course, if you fail the test, he is not in you.
2 Corinthians 13:5
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

9. What Does the Bible Say? John 7:24
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Some will still argue that judging is wrong. If that be the case then why did Jesus say in John 7:24, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Judging must be done righteously!

10. Righteous Judgment False teachers: Matt. 7:15
Tried them who weren’t apostles: Rev. 2:2
Paul rebuked Peter to the face: Gal. 2:11-14
Do ye not judge them that are within? 1 Cor. 5:21
God commands us to judge righteously.
Jesus commended the Ephesian church for their ability to make judgments regarding who were and who were not apostles. He said of them, "thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars" (Revelation 2:2). Jesus would not have commended them for what He previously had condemned. When Peter sinned, Paul rebuked him to his face (Galatians 2:11-14). This behavior on the part of Paul was the right thing for him to do. Nevertheless for this to be done necessitated judgment, the ability to know that what Peter had done was wrong. Peter's behavior was sinful, and Paul rightly condemned it. In his discussion with the Corinthian church regarding the fornicator in their midst, Paul poses the question: "Do not ye judge them that are within?" (I Corinthians 5:21). According to the way this question is stated the correct answer is: "Yes, we are to judge those that are within the church." The inspired solution for the sin in the congregation at Corinth required judging. Judgment was necessary to discern the sin and the sinner so they could be dealt with appropriately.

11. Righteous Judgment Preach the word: 2 Tim. 4:2
The word I have spoken: John 12:48
Prove all things: 1 Thess. 5:21
When the Word of God is obeyed and taught, sin will be reproved and rebuked and the way of righteousness will be commended. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Timothy 4:2). Righteous judgment is necessary to recognize and expose sin and to recognize and obey the Truth.
Try as some might to protect their sinful practices and doctrines by twisting the meaning of God's Word, one day we will all stand before God in judgment. All will be held accountable for their behavior according to the standard of God's Word (John 12:48). It behooves us all to begin now making the right application of that Word to our lives.
When sin occurs in our lives we need to deal with it in the way that God tells us in His Word. When others care enough about us that they condemn the sin that exists in our lives, we should be grateful and apply the remedy demanded by God's Word so we might be saved. Rather than looking for a way to avoid what God has said, we need to be willing to turn from our sin and obey God to have the forgiveness that He offers. Condemning those who would help us identify sin in our lives so we might remove it is foolish indeed. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21).

12. What Does the Bible Say? Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Look at Galatians 6:1…..what are we commanded to do?
Someone in our group might do something wrong. You who are faithful should go to the one who is sinning. Help make that person right again, and do it in a gentle way. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin too.
Who was to restore the person? The one who was spiritual.
If I am living in sin, it would be hypocritical of me to go to that person and try to restore him/her. Again, I would need to be right to tell someone that he/she should be living right.

13. What Does the Bible Say? Romans 1-2
God’s wrath is revealed to all those who are ungodly and unrighteous: v. 18
Man knew God, but didn’t glorify Him or thank Him….became vain: v. 21
Changed the truth of God into a lie—worshipped the creature more than the Creator: v. 25
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Paul explains it clearly to the Romans in Romans chapter 1 & 2.

14. Man was filled with…. Sin Evil Greed Hatred Jealousy Murder Fighting
Lying
Thinking the worst
Gossip
Saying Evil things
Hating God
Rude
Proud
Bragging on themselves
Foolish
Don’t keep promises
No kindness or mercy
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Look what man started to do…..
Man was filled with……..
At the end of Romans 1:32…..Paul said that these men…. knew God’s law said that anyone who lives like that should die. But they not only continue to do these things themselves, but they also encourage others who do them.

15. Can You Judge Those People?
Romans 2
You are wrong.
You are guilty of sin.
You judge them, but you are doing the same things they do.
If you judge them, you are really condemning yourself.
God judges all who do such things, and we know his judgment is right.
God will punish you if you do those things as well.
What does the Bible say about JUDGING?
Paul poses a question in Romans 2:1-3: Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Paul is saying….do you think you can judge these people?
His answer: NO!
God’s judgment in v. 11: For there is no respect of persons with God….he shows no favoritism to no one. All will be judged the same.

16. God’s Final Judgment Romans 2:11 Romans 2:16 No respect of persons
According to Gospel
What does the Bible say about God’s Judgment?
God’s judgment in v. 11: For there is no respect of persons with God….he shows no favoritism to anyone. All will be judged the same.
v. 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

17. I’m Not Ashamed Romans 1:16-18
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
What is the Gospel?
No wonder Paul said in the beginning of his letter to the Romans in Romans 1:16-18
16 I am proud of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and now to save those who are not Jews. 17 The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself. God’s way of making people right begins and ends with faith. As the Scriptures say, “The one who is right with God by faith will live forever.”[c]
18 God shows his anger from heaven against all the evil and wrong things that people do. Their evil lives hide the truth they have.

19. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
What is the Gospel?

20. Judgment for Not Obeying
1 Thessalonians 1:7-8
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

21. Judgment Seat 1 Corinthians 5:10 Romans 14:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Romans 14:10
10…for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.