Judge Not
1. Introduction: Matthew 7:1-5 (Jesus gives the
command to not judge. Many other passages teach the same message.) Romans
14:10-13, James 4:11--12 (Yet there are other verses that command us to judge.
How can this be reconciled?)
A. Judge righteous judgments: John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge
righteous judgment.
B. Paul judged matter of Corinthian fornicator: I Corinthians 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but
present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning
him that hath so done this deed,
C. Corinthians commanded to judge: I Corinthians 5:9-13
D. Saints will judge the world: & are
commanded to judge
I Corinthians 6:1-6
F. Fair judge blessed:
Proverbs 29:14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be
established for ever.
2. What Sinful Judging Is: Matthew 7:1-5
A. Judge Not: Acts 15:19Wherefore
my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are
turned to God: ("Sentence" is the same word as
"judge".), II Thessalonians 2:12 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who
believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ("Might
be damned" is the same word. These passages indicate there is a kind of
judging that is clearly condemned, i.e. passing sentence, attempting to
pronounce damnation.) Romans 14:10-13
(This passage speaks of judging in such a way as to expect one to give account
to you instead of answering to God.)
B. With What Measure: Use the right standard! Col 2:16 ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in
drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
(The law was the wrong
standard by which to judge.) John 12:48 He that
rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word
that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. , (God's word is the right standard by which to
judge.)
Ro 2:2 But
we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which
commit such things. John 17:17
C. The Beam In Your Eye: Romans 2:1-3 (Don't condemn others while guilty of the
same.) Matt 7:5 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. (We are told the circumstance under which we
can point out another's error.)
D. Thou Hypocrite: Don't be self righteous! Prv. 20:6 ¶ Most men
will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Using yourself as the standard.) 2Cor. 10:12-13 For we dare not make ourselves of the number,
or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring
themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not
wise. 13 But we will not boast of things
without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath
distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
3. What Sinful Judging Is Not: Genesis 19:5-9
A. Condemning False Teachers: Matthew 7:15-20 (Knowing someone by
their fruit is a kind of judgment.)
B. Confronting An Erring Brother: Galatians
6:1-2 Ga 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (We
are required to confront the erring. This is a kind of judgment.)
C. Condemning Sin: John 3:17, Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Joh 12:47 And if any
man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge
the world, but to save the world. 48 He
that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the
word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (Jesus did not come to judge.) Matthew 22:29 Mt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err,
not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. , John 4:18 Joh 4:18 For thou
hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that
saidst thou truly. (Yet he repeatedly confronted religious and
moral error. Therefore such action is not judging.)
4. The Real Difference: Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as
I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but
the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:30 (the
difference between judgment that is forbidden and judgment that is required is;
one seeks to glorify self, the other seeks to glorify God)
5. We Must Not:
A. Allow people to stay as they are when they
are lost: Luke 13:3 (Jesus didn't. He demanded they repent.) Ezekiel 33:7 Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman
unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and
warn them from me. (We
are obligated to warn people of sin.)
Acts 20:26-27 Wherefore I take you to record
this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you
all the counsel of God.
B. Excuse Sin: John 8:3-11 (Jesus commanded that she be stoned, he required
her to sin no more. )
C. Ignore Error: Titus 1:10-13 Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and
deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose
mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they
ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12 One of
themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars,
evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This
witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the
faith; (Paul commanded these false teachers be
confronted and condemned.) Revelation 2:2 Re 2:2 I know thy
works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which
are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not,
and hast found them liars: (Ephesus was commended for putting false
teachers on trial and denouncing them as liars.)
6. Conclusion: (We must be careful not to
violate what Jesus taught about judging others. However, we must also remember
that God requires us to make certain judgments about right and wrong. The
scriptures will help us understand what kind of judgments we must make, and
what judgments we must not make.)
5/30/99 BC