Matthew 7

The Disciple’s Relationships – Judging and the Golden Rule

Focus: Self-examination, discernment (pearls before swine), persistent prayer, the Golden Rule

Why this section: Equips believers to navigate chain-of-command tensions and peer conflicts with humility, clarity, and empathy, framed by active dependence on the Father. (c/o Christian Military Fellowship)

Judging Others

7 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and [a]by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? THIS IS AN EASILY REMEMBERED ANALOGY.

4 Or how [b]can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

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.

Prayer and the Golden Rule

7 “[c]Ask, and it will be given to you; [d]seek, and you will find; [e]knock, and it will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

9 Or what man is there among you [f]who, when his son asks for a loaf, [g]will give him a stone?

10 Or [h]if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! THIS IS A GOOD REMINDER WHEN WE ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIFE.

12 “In everything, therefore, [i]treat people the same way you want [j]them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. THE GREAT COMMANDMENT –A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, John 13:34

The Disciple’s Wisdom – Two Paths, True Fruit

Focus: Narrow vs. broad gate, discerning good and bad trees, false prophets, false professions

Why this section: Warns against deceptive ideologies and charismatic frauds. Service members learn to test teaching by fruit and stay on the disciplined, life-giving road. (c/o Christian Military Fellowship)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 10/40 WINDOW

14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO SHARE CHRIST WITH OTHERS.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 1 CORINTHIANS 14: 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment

16 You will [k]know them by their fruits. [l]Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? IS WHAT WE ARE DOING BEARING GOOD FRUIT?

17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 1 PETER 4: 17 17 For it is time for judgment to begin [a]with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

20 So then, you will [m]know them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. JAMES 2: 26 Faith without works is dead.

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [n]miracles?’ WE NEED TO LOOK AT THEIR FRUIT.

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ IT’S SCARY THAT WE MAY NOT BE DOING GOD’S WILL.

The Disciple’s Foundation – Obedience that Survives the Storm

Focus: Wise and foolish builders; crowds’ astonishment at Jesus’ authority

Why this section: The sermon ends with a combat-ready image: only the doer stands when storms hit. This finale calls the CMF group to translate every prior lesson into practiced, resilient faith. (c/o Christian Military Fellowship)