Judging Others Series

Sermon on the Mount

Pt 11

Judging Others

Matthew 7:1-6

Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. [3] And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your eye? [4] Or how can you say to your brother, Let me remove the speck out of your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye? [5] Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye. [6] Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. [NKJV]

OPENING REMARKS

A. Judge Me Not

One of the most misunderstood and misused phrases from Scripture is found here in this text.

1. This phrase:

Judge not, that you be not judged (v. 1).

2. Frequent Reply:

How often do you hear one say when you or someone questions what another is doing? –

Who are you to be judging me! The Bible says, Judge not, lest you be judged! So stop being judgmental!

3. Both Lost and Saved – so sad:

We would expect to hear the he lost expressing words such as this phrase. For they do not wish for their sinful deeds to be exposed for all to see – cf. John 3:20 (Everyone practicing evil hates the light … lest his deeds should be exposed).

But unfortunately and all too often more than not, which is so sad, is that we hear such words coming from the lips of those who professed to be born-again Christians – cf. James 3:10 (Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so).

B. Judge Others

Robert West

Nothing is easier [to do] than fault-finding;

[there is] no talent [needed],

[there is] no self-denial [exerted],

[there is] no brain [activity],

[there is] no character … required to set up in the grumbling business.

***** [SermonCentral.com: Illustrations, downloaded 10 November 2007, www.SermonCentral.com (adapted)] *****

NOTE: It takes time to learn all of the circumstances that is going on in someone’s life. There is always two-sides to every story. Instead of taking the time to try and understand what is the basis for one’s actions – we find it so much easier to judge and condemn according to our limited knowledge. But we need to be aware of such quick action – for the Lord here tells us that we will be judged and condemned with what and how we judge another.

C. Meaning

The [Gk] word [for] judge here means:

To criticize – condemn – censor.

It is fault finding; it is being picky.

It is the habit of censor and criticism.

***** [Preacher’s Outline and Study Bible: Matthew 1, Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996, p. 144 (adapted)] *****

TEXT

3. How does the meaning – criticize – condemn – censor - of this Greek word apply in this text?

2. What does the text say about judging another?

3. Does the text forbid us to judge another person?

4. Can we rightly judge individuals?

NOTE: As a Christian it is important to know whether or not the Bible allows or forbids us to judge someone else? – If so: then we need to know how we are to judge one another.

Text Examining Proposal

1. Are we allowed to judge others?

2. If we are allowed to judge others – How?

3. Judgment when presenting the Gospel.

I. Are We Allowed To Judge Others?

Verses: 1-2

[1] Judge not, that you be not judged.

[2] For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

These are serious words to consider.

Are we being told that we cannot judge anyone for anything?

If we do judge someone are we going to be judge as harshly as we judge them?

A. Right or Wrong

1. Judgment is to determine is someone is right or wrong in what they are doing.

2. At first glance at the text one would immediately answer that we are not to judge another person.

a. Today’s post-modern society – we are expected to be tolerant of an individual’s actions. Whatever they do or however they act is okay, because everyone is allowed to do their own thing. There is no standard of truth by which judgment can be made.

Judges 21:25

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.