Judgment Vs. Discernment

Judgment Vs. Discernment

Barriers That Block The Cultural Power Of The Cross

Text: Matthew 7:1-6 NKJV "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the 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 own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, ’Let me remove the speck from 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 from 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.

Intro:

One of the most misunderstood and misapplied of Jesus’ teachings is what He had to say about judging others. This misinterpretation has been used as a bludgeon by the morally agnostic crowd to smash the correction and restraint offered by Bible believers. They have used the mantra “Judge not!” as a great wedge to divide American culture and Western culture from their historic foundations, foundations whose cornerstone is Jesus Christ and His Word.

Proper understanding of Bible principles depends on gaining a comprehensive view of Scripture. Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

This virus of the mind and soul has spread to a great portion of churches, even Bible believing churches so that they lack discernment and are hesitant to make distinctions. They refuse to make moral judgments! How bizarre that the people of the Truth, the people of the Book cannot make sound moral judgments!

Body:

1A. Judgment is forbidden by Jesus. Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

DEF: A harsh, rash sentencing of others that reveals a critical spirit in the one judging.

NOTE: The context of Jesus’ statement is the Sermon on the Mount, the entire section from Matthew 5 to Matthew 7.

1B. True religion is matter of the heart…of motivation. Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

1C. It is their hypocrisy which is condemned 3 times in Matt. 6 ( in relation to giving, praying, and fasting).

2C. Jesus can’t stand religious play actors…and neither can other people.

NOTE: Believers must be AUTHENTIC.

2B. Condemning others is the point of Jesus’ instruction. Luk 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

3B. Thinking of someone as nothing, or despising him, is what Jesus is warning about. Devaluing. Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

4B. Reaching hasty conclusions about others is sin. Jam 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: (20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

NOTE: Our critical focus should not be centered on others; our focus should be on self and on self’s attitudes and motivations.

2A. Discernment is commanded by Jesus. Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

DEF: A reasoned assessment of others based on their words and behavior after thorough examination.

1B. We are commanded to put all things, teachings, persons to the test. 1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2B. We are to compare all things to the Written Word of God. Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

3B. Abandoning Biblical discernment makes us fools. Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

4B. We are to make discernments about our behavior. 1Co 5:11-13 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat. (12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.