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.
5B. We will make judgments concerning the world. 1Co 6:2-3 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? (3) Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Conclusion:
1. We should make right judgments. Isa 5:20-21 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
NOTE: Refusing to make moral judgments (like the moral agnostics) results in our making wrong judgments.
2. All opinions are not equal. While everyone has a right to their opinion, the valid ones are the ones that agree with the values and principles of God’s Word.
3. Biblical morality is the one valid standard for judging and making discernments, even while we avoid a judgmental spirit.
Invitation:
Recognize you are a sinner. Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Repent towards God. Luk 13:3 except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out… Act 26:20 [You] should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Receive Jesus Christ. Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Key thoughts in this section are taken from John Robbins, The Church Effeminate, pp. 654 –657.
