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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