A Critical Spirit

Text: Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42

Subject: Judging others

Theme: Christians are not to have a critical spirit

Prop: Jesus gives us ways to keep from having a critical spirit.

T.S. Let us consider the DEFENSES that Jesus gives to protect us from having a Critical Spirit.

INTRODUCTION

Can you tell me the one verse that it seems as though every non-Christian knows?

MATTHEW 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

A. What does it mean to judge?

1. There are three possible meanings of the word.

1. Judge as in a person who sits in a court room.

2. To discern.

3. To condemn.

2. In order to be able to do what Matthew 7:1 says, we must understand which of the meanings Jesus intends for this passage.

a. Judge as in a court?

1. Civil court judgments are not prohibited. Titus 3:1, Romans 13.

2. Church discipline. Matthew 18:16, Titus 3:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, @ John 10.

b. Discernment?

1. According to Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus tells us that by our fruits we will be known. Matthew 7:20 says, “So then, you will know them by their fruits.

2. MATTHEW 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

c. Condemning judgment?

1. Luke 7:37, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

2. READ ROMANS 14:1-4.

3. John Wesley Illustration.

1. For some reason, it is easier to jump to negative conclusions about people than it is to assume the best about them. When we do this, we ascribe to them bad intentions and evil purposes that may not be true. We also reveal something about ourselves, for the faults we see in others are actually a reflection of our own.

Personal struggle at times. Dodie Gadient, school teacher for 13 years, truck and towing a camper. I-5 near Sacramento California during rush hour.

As Christians we do want to be guilty of a Critical Spirit, or condemning judgments. JUDE1:9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

We need a way to defend ourselves from being critical of people. It is easy for Satan to get us to be critical, therefore loosing perspective of how Jesus wants us to deal with people.

Transitional Sentence: Let us consider the DEFENSES that Jesus gives to protect us from having a Critical Spirit.

SERMON

READ MATTHEW 7:1-6, LUKE 6:37-42

I. ONE DEFENSE AGAINST A CRITICAL SPIRIT IS, EVALUATION OF THE STANDARD THAT YOU USE TO JUDGE. Matthew 7:2, Luke 6:38

1. Read the passages and explain that Jesus is explaining that the standard we use, will be used against us!

a. Are we going to use bitterness. Woman at the well, or Mercy. Jesus to us?

b. Are we going to compare other people to us?

READ ROMANS 2:1-7

c. If we are able to use Jesus as our standard, then we find that we are not even that perfect!

d. LUKE 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."

e. How many times do we just look at a person and make a judgment about them.

In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind, they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard university. Eliot received the modest looking couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, “Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship.”

We are thinking of something more substantial than that… perhaps a building.” The woman replied. In a patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside the idea as being too expensive and the couple departed.

Then the next year, Eliot learned that this plain pair had gone elsewhere and established a $26 million memorial named Leland Stanford Junior University, better known today as Stanford.

II. ANOTHER DEFENSE AGAINST A CRITICAL SPIRIT IS EVALUATION OF YOUR OWN LIFE. Matthew 7:3-5.

1. READ MATTHEW 7:3-5.

a. Clean up your own act! This will help keep our motives pure.

1. GAL 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.