The Verdict on Judgment
Matthew 7: 1-5
We have come to a new chapter in our study of the Sermon on the Mount, but it is just a continuation of the thoughts of our Lord. We have considered and discussed many practical subjects that deal with human life and practice in our study and we continue to do so.
Our Lord spoke these words some 2,000 years ago and yet they are as fresh and needful today as they were when He first spoke them. I want to remind us that Jesus was dealing with real issues that His society faced, and these issues remain in modern society. There are those who claim that God’s Word is somehow outdated. They claim it is archaic and no longer relevant. I am convinced the Bible is not obsolete, but in fact absolute. The truths Jesus spoke are just as relevant and needful in our day as they have ever been. Society and cultures change, but God’s Word never does. The people of Jesus’ day faced difficulties and temptations that remain in our day.
Our text focuses upon judging others. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all make judgments practically every day. Some are quick and quite subtle, while others are more deliberate and obvious. Let’s consider the text as we seek to discover the facts our Lord reveals as we think on: The Verdict on Judgment.
I. The Admonition Expressed (1-2) – Within the admonition of our Lord we find two key elements that we need to consider. First, we need to discuss:
A. The Distortion of the Admonition (1) – Judge not, that ye be not judged. This portion of Scripture is often misinterpreted and wrongfully applied. I am sure you have heard this quoted many times by those who have been confronted concerning a sinful or questionable behavior. People somehow assume Christians have no right to evaluate the behavior of society, because in their minds, we have been forbidden to judge. If a pastor or Christian takes a stand against sin, particularly in a public rebuke, they are accused of judging another.
I have no way of knowing the true spiritual condition of another, so I would never declare that an individual could not possibly be saved because of their actions. However, to say that we are never to evaluate situations and actions goes against the teaching of Scripture. We are not the final judge of men’s souls, but we are not called to ignore iniquity and never confront sin. Many would assume that to be judgmental, but in fact it is just being biblical.
1 Thes.5:21 – Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Here the word prove has the idea of “to test or examine; scrutinize; to approve or deem worthy.” Ephes.5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. John 7:24 – Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Notice Matthew 7: 16-20. As the old preacher used to say, “I may not be a judge, but I can be a fruit inspector.” We must be willing to stand for truth and righteousness, exposing and confronting sin, even if we are called judgmental.
B. The Discernment of the Admonition (1-2) – Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Jesus offers a word of caution in the text. He declares we are to be just in our evaluations. If we pass judgment in a faulty or deceptive manner, we can expect to receive the same. If we possess an attitude of prejudice, we can expect the same in return. Many in Jesus’ day found fault in others, but never saw the needs in their own lives. They were quick to pass judgment, but never realized the same judgmental spirit would be returned toward them.
Taking a stand for truth is one thing, but to falsely accuse or condemn is another. We may perceive one’s actions as being ungodly, but we have no right to pass judgment on the spiritual condition of another. Only the Lord knows the genuine condition of the heart. We must be careful that we don’t make “blanket statements” or judge others in an unjust manner.
II. The Application Explained (3-5) – Jesus further illustrates His admonition and offers application for our lives. Consider:
A. The Tragedy (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? There are two aspects of this tragedy that require our attention. First, we see:
1. The Objects – Jesus speaks of two men, each of which have an object in their eye, obstructing their view. One is a mote; the other is a beam. The mote could be defined as “a chip or splinter.” The beam could be referred to as “a board or log.” It is interesting to discover that the mote is of the same material as the beam, only smaller.
Clearly, we see both of these obstructions are of the same nature, but one is much larger than the other. I think it is safe to say we all have dealt with obstructions to our spiritual view; in fact, we are probably dealing with something now that has potential to impair our spiritual vision. Some are larger than others, but they are there nonetheless.
2. The Observation (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? This reveals two distinct aspects of observation. The idea of beholding is “to see or have sight;” while the idea of considering reveals “understanding, considering attentively.” The judgmental man could see the mote in his brother’s eye, but he could not perceive the beam in his own eye. It was easy to point out the fault of another, but impossible to understand his own need.
We have heard this all our lives and yet it speaks so profoundly. Our human nature seeks and observes impurities in others, and yet never realizes our own imperfections. Keep in mind, the mote and the beam are made of the same material. The problem we all deal with is sin. Man tends to categorize it, but to God it is all sin. Many today can’t see the big problems in their own lives because they seek to judge the smaller issues in others!
B. The Tendency (4) – Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? The Lord presents another profound truth in the text. Those whose vision is impaired by a beam often have a desire to correct the problems in the lives of others. They not only notice them, but are quick to point them out and offer “wisdom” for benefit of others.
Many today are quick to offer advice to others, but unwilling to heed their own advice. Rather than seeking fault in others and desiring to “straighten out” everyone else, we ought to seek the Lord to examine our lives and reveal the needs we have. May we be willing to come alongside others, helping them rather than trying to condemn or correct.
C. The Teaching (5) – Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Our lives must be in order if we are to help others. The text points out several areas we should avoid. Notice:
1. Avoid Hypocritical Judgment – Jesus refers to those who see the sin and failures of others but are blind to their own needs as hypocrites. We have dealt with this attitude many times already. We should never be guilty of accusing the faults of others when we too have many areas that need attention. I have enough trouble with my own fleshly desires. It is all I can do to walk uprightly myself, much less worrying about the shortcomings of others. When we take care of our own needs, then we are in a position to help, not judge others.
2. Avoid Joyful Judgment – As we look back at V.4 we discover what appears to be happiness over the faults of others. Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye. Have we not all known those who seemed to relish in the failures of others. It is as if they sought an issue to point out and then rejoiced that it was there.
I will admit, I have felt some had it coming to them, but I don’t think I have ever rejoiced in the fault of another. I know my own frailties. I am subject to the same temptations as well. It is by the grace of God that I have not fallen. There is nothing to rejoice in when a fellow believer stumbles. It hurts their walk with the Lord, their testimony, and the influence of the church. Let’s seek to encourage and build up rather than judge and tear down.
3. Avoid Inaccurate Judgment (5) – Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. It is impossible to make an accurate evaluation when our vision is clouded by our own sin. Much harm has come to the body of Christ due to inaccurate judgment. Our fallen nature allows prejudice to influence our judgment. Often, we pass judgment before we have taken the time to gather the facts. We must ensure that our judgment is always offered through a clear and unobstructed view. The only way that is possible is through a close and committed relationship with Christ.
We need to seek to see others as God sees them, not as the flesh dictates. I am nothing more than a sinner saved by grace. All that I am or ever will be, I owe to my precious Lord. Consider what He saw in us before He saved us. We were all depraved by sin, and yet He chose to look on us with compassion instead of righteous condemnation. We need that same attitude with others.
Conclusion: I know there are times when we must stand for truth and confront sin, but even then, we must possess the right spirit. I am convinced one of the greatest hindrances to the church is a judgmental spirit. We hear it all the time. If we aren’t careful, we will join right in. Most probably don’t mean to be hurtful, they just possess a judgmental attitude. I pray that we will seek to see the good in each other and try to offer encouragement rather than criticism.
Are you guilty of harboring an unjust attitude toward someone? Are you constantly noticing the failures and shortcomings of people instead of the benefits they offer? If so, you need to come to the Lord and confess that. You will never enjoy victory in your life if you harbor ill will or judgmental feelings toward another.
As I said, we are not man’s final judge; the Lord is. Each of us will stand before the Lord one day and be judged of Him. Those who have not met Christ through salvation will be judged for the sins they have committed and condemned to eternal separation and torment. If you have not received Christ in salvation, I beg you to come to Him while there is still time.
