Judging

Judging (1)

AN INTRODUCTORY STORY: Steven Covey tells in 7 Habits for Highly Effective People, the story of a man who riding an a bus and was greatly disturbed at a young boy who was running up and down the aisle of the bus screaming and laughing at the top of his lungs, while the young boy’s Dad just sat idly by. The man could not believe that someone would be so rude and inconsiderate, of the other people around him. He then began to notice other unflattering things about the man. His hair was unkempt so he was probably homeless, and his eyes were bloodshot, so he had to be an alcoholic. Finally not able to take anymore of the child this man went and approached the dad and demanded that he get control of his young son. The dad seeming to be shaken from a trance apologized to the man and told him that the boy’s mom, his wife, had just died at the hospital after struggling all night and he was trying to think of a way to break the news to the boy. Ref: SermonCentral.Com. Illustration results for Matthew 7:1-5. Accessed August 14, 2011.

COMMENT:

Judging, I cannot recall how many Christian/non-Christian folk have flippantly quoted (and misapplied the intended meaning of Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged, for the sake of proving a point. Unfortunately, many of us Christian folk ARE the most judgmental and critically condemning persons around. Are we CONFUSED yet? Judging is a necessary part of the Christian life and is spoken of in Scripture far more than NOT-Judging. Yes, we ARE to judge: in 1Co 6:2 it states, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters”? BUT, it is the motives behind our judgment that are to be self- examined; and, ultimately judged by God.

OUR TEXT: (2)

Matthew 7:1- 3: (1) Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (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?

Luke 6:37-38: (3) (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 11:29: (4) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Remember: Jesus is our ultimate example!

INTRODUCTION: SO, How are we to judge others? The Bible tells us in our text passage “not to judge” others. YET, in other biblical passages we are certainly told that we ARE ‘to judge.” This morning I want to examine our Lord’s words found in Matthew Seven and add some clarity to his teaching.

I) LOOKING AT JUDGMENT IN THE BIBLE

A) NOTE: There are multiple types of judgment mentioned in Scripture; by multiple authors (David, Jesus, Paul, Peter, James are just a few).

1. ANALYSIS: When are we to NOT JUDGE harshly? Let’s carefully note WE ARE NOT to judge another’s heart or motives.

2. EXAMPLES

a) In Regards to One’s Faith: (5) Romans 14:3-4, 10, 13: Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (4 ) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand . . . (10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ . . . (13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

b) In Regards to One’s Conscious: (6) for what he feels is right before the Lord: 1Co 10:29, 31: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience . . . (31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1. Here, Paul is dealing with meats offered to idols. In a nutshell, Paul is saying though his conscious is free to eat the meats, if it offends thy weaker brother, don’t do it because ultimately it would not glory God only satisfy self.