The Measuring Device You Use Can Become A Boomerang.

The measuring devise you use can become a boomerang.

Matthew 7:1 -- 6. 02/29/04

Probably everyone has his own measuring devise that he uses to judge others. It is just human nature to judge other people. It seems natural to look at another and make a decision about his character. But Jesus warns us to be very careful about judging people, because the standard you use to judge others will be the standard God uses to judge you.

Let’s look at our text this morning. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, let me pull out the mote out of your eye, and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first cast out the beam in your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest they will trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” 7:1 -- 6.

There are a few principles that we are to keep in mind. First, WE OUGHT TO APPLY WISE DISCRIMINATION.

Have you ever noticed about every time you try to evaluate a situation, someone will jump up and say, judge not? For many, that is the only Scripture they know and someone ungodly taught them that one.

Now the word judge in our text can be translated to mean select, separate, choose, determine, evaluate and condemn. But we have to view the word in context to understand the meaning here. Jesus certainly was not telling us not to evaluate certain things. And he was not telling us not to discriminate against certain things. Because we ought to be able to discriminate between the logs, dogs and hogs. First, he warns about having a log in our eye and then he said don’t give what is sacred to the dogs, and then he told us not to cast pearls to the hogs.

There are times as Christians that we will have to make some judgment. As a matter-of-fact, we will be called upon to discriminate between certain things. And we should teach our children to do the same thing that they could determine between what is right and wrong. So, all judgment is not forbidden. Some think you are un-American if you don’t embrace all people and say your religion is as good as mine. But Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Can you just hear someone say now Jesus you are judging?

Sometimes it is necessary for us to discriminate. When you go to the polls you judge who is best, unless you are a party voter. Listen, I do not have to judge sin, God has already done that. God’s word has already told us about sin. I know the world doesn’t like moral absolutes but we do. Anytime you confront the world with its sin someone will say you are judgmental.

First we ought to apply wise discrimination. Secondly, WE OUGHT TO AVOID WICKED CONDEMNATION.

What we are taught here is not to have an unloving heart toward others. God is the only one who can pass the final judgment. When you pass this type of judgment upon another person, then you are taking a responsibility that does not belong to you. Jesus is the only one who earned the right to judge the soul of man. As a matter-of-fact, when you pass judgment on the soul of man then you are acting like the devil because the Bible says the devil is an accuser.

In John 3:17 we are told that God sent his son in the world not to condemn the world but to save it. Many times we find ourselves quick to condemn the people that God wants to save. Our hearts ought to be yearning to see people saved so they can join us in heaven. If you love the idea that someone is going to hell, then chances are you will be there with them, for by the judgment you use, it will be judged against you.

When I stand before God, I want mercy. I do not want to judge other people for by what judgment I use, it will be returned to me.

Sometime back someone thought I was worth saving. It might have been just my wife but someone did and prayed. Do you know Jesus?