Sermon Series: Summer on the Mount

Sermon Title: Judge, but not Judgingly         

Matthew 7:1-6

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 

• What does Jesus mean by this?

Judge - Krinō - to pronounce judgment; to subject to censure (condemnation); of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in the matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others: universally, and without case,

The amplified bible adds:

[Judging others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge]

Condemning others unfairly or for reasons that are unjustifiable, being self-righteous, acting superior to others, these are the descriptions of the kind of people that Jesus is reprimanding.

The Scribes and Pharisees were known for pridefully justifying themselves while condemning others for petty violations of their traditions. 

(Mark 7) One instance they came against the disciples of Jesus for not washing their hands, yet they were guilty of showing contempt (disrespect) for their parents and teaching others to do likewise.  Jesus was quick to confront their hypocrisy.

Jesus would say don’t be prideful nor arrogant like the Pharisees. 

There is only one righteous judge, and we will all stand before Him one day and give an account of our lives.  Only He knows the intent of our hearts, only He can reward the faithful with heaven and only He can sentence the ungodly to hell. 

Furthermore, the caution is to not judge so that you will not be judged. The same Greek word is used in both His command to not judge, and the consequence for judging.

Simply put, If you judge (condemn) then you will be judged (condemned, sentenced)

Hopefully you grasp the importance of not judging. 

• What about judges in a court of law? Is it wrong for them to judge?

Judges have been around for some time.  In the book of Judges, we see that God raised up judges who saved Israel from those surrounding nations who plundered them.  Judges are appointed by God.

Romans 13:1,4

¹ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

⁴ for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 

Without Judges in the earth who would ensure that justice is carried out? How would wrong doers be punished?  Obviously, there is a righteous way to judge and an unrighteous way to judge.

In a court of law, the evidence is thoroughly investigated and weighed out by the jury before the judge renders a verdict.  Whatever the judge declares that is what will stand.

By telling people not to judge, Jesus prevents irrational and unfair accusations brought about by prideful and arrogant people.      

(Illustration) There are times when judging is necessary.  Such as was the case in Paul’s day.

1Corinthians 5:1 & 12-13

¹ It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.

¹² For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? ¹³ God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

When is a person allowed to judge and to what level are they allowed to do so?  According to Paul’s example when there is obvious sin in the church it needs to be addressed.

Paul pronounced a “judgement” which included purging this man who committed sexual immorality.  However, even in doing so, the goal was to let this guy feel the weight of his sins, experience the consequence of his sins, but ultimately be reconciled back into fellowship.  (2 Corinthians 2)

The word “judging” is used differently in this passage.

Judge - of the disciplinary judgment to which Christians subject the conduct of their fellows, passing censure upon them as the facts require,

The goal of this type of judging should be to reconcile the person back to a right relationship with Christ. Because sometimes even as Christian you may be guilty of acting like a sucker.  You must have someone in your life whom you trust that will tell you when you are acting like a sucker.

Their words may come across as hurtful even judgmental especially if it is a close friend.

(KJV) Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

It is better to receive the rebuke of a friend who cares about you rather than the flattery of an enemy.  So if someone who cares about you tells you something about your life, rather than throwing the “Only God can judge me” card, examine whether or not there is truth to their saying and then be willing to make the necessary changes.  

We must not judge others, this is a great sin, but there are times which we must reprove others, which is a great duty, and may be a means of saving a soul from death;

James 5:19-20

¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰ let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Those who listen to the reproof is wise however those who do not listen are foolish.

(KJV) Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

But the type of judging that Jesus bans is rash judgment, interpreting men's words and deeds in the worst sense, and even passing sentence on them, with respect to their eternal state and condition. 

If a person were to judge they should first put themselves in the other person’s shoes they are judging and then consider, what judgment they would choose to pass on them. 

Judge every man according to righteousness. For no mercy shall be shown to those who show no mercy to others. As God will forgive those that forgive their brethren; so he will not judge those that will not judge their brethren; the merciful shall find mercy.

What would become of us, if God should be as exact and severe in judging us, as we are in judging our brethren; if he should weigh us in the same balance? 

So, if you are reproved by another believer, don’t automatically assume they are judging you, but ask the Holy Spiritto confirm to you whether the reproof is necessary or not. 

Not everyone is fit to reprove. Those who are guilty of the same faults of which they accuse others, or of worse, bring shame upon themselves, and are not likely to do good to those whom they reprove.

Matthew 7 (Continued)

³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log 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.

First off to see a speck in your brother’s eye would imply that you are searching intently for it, while simultaneously ignoring the log in your own eye which is very evident to everyone else.

The "beam or log" is meant, greater sins, grosser abominations; The Pharisees were prideful, arrogant, covetous, self-righteousness hypocrites.  Yet they loudly cried against the lesser evils in others. Such conduct wascondemned by Christ.

Another point worth making is that both the speck and log must be removed from the eyes.  Neither the speck nor the log belongs in the eye.   

The person with the speck, as little as it may seem, must not continue with it in their eyes. Neither must the person continue with a log in his eye.

Our shortcomings do not excuse us in reproving others. 

We must not say, "I have a log in my own eye, and therefore I will not help my brother with the speck out of his." 

A man should first begin with himself, take notice of his own sins, reprove himself for them, and reform; and then it will be able to observe other men's.

⁶ “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

This verse seems like it does not belong here at first as the next few verses start a whole new topic about prayer.  So, it seems like this verse is wedged between the two ideas.

Both dogs and pigs are unclean animals. Holy things, things related to God set apart for His use, are to be treasured much like pearls are treasured. 

We have talked about using reproof in a loving way to bring about necessary change in a loved one.  Reproof when done by the Spirit of God is of great value like a pearl.

To those who do not listen to the reproof are like the unclean animals who just trample over your valued pearls.  Some people no matter how hard you try, refuse to listen to reproof.  They are right in their own eyes, and you would be wasting your time trying to convince them otherwise.

They do not value the same things that you value, as they just trample your pearls under their foot.

When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples, He tells them that if anyone refuses to receive the message that they were to wipe the dust off their feet as a testimony against them. In other words, move on and don’t waste your time with stubborn people who refuse to receive God’s word in their hearts.  

This is not saying that we should not preach it to anyone who were wicked and profane (Christ himself preached to publicans and sinners), but the reference is to such as were found obstinate after the gospel was preached to them.  Perhaps they blasphemed the gospel and even persecuted the preachers of it; Don’t spend a lot of time on such people as your labor would be in vain.  

Good counsel and reproof are a holy thing, and a pearl: they are ordinances of God, they are precious so is the wise reprover and a wise reproof is like an excellent oil.

In conclusion, Jesus tells us not to judge [Judging others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge]

But He also instructs us to reprove another when needed by removing the speck out of their eyes once we have removed the log out of our own.  This may come across like you’re being judged. But if the reproof is done in accordance with the Word of God and by the power of Holy Spirit, then it can reconcile that person into a right standing relationship with God. 

However, if that person does not receive the reproof but instead remains obstinate, then you must not cast your pearls before the swine.  

Ultimately, Jesus will judge the world once and for all at the end of time.  Every person who rejects Jesus and His gospel will also be rejected by Him at His second coming.

2 Timothy 4:1

¹ I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.