Mazie First Baptist
July 13, 2025
  • Today we start Chapter 7, the last part of the Sermon on the Mount. This first section is probably taken out of context more than most other sections of Scripture. Many people use what Jesus teaches us here incorrectly. How many of you have heard someone quote verse 1 or maybe you have quoted it to someone. Today I pray we get a true understanding of what Jesus is teaching us here. Our world today is very critical, you can’t do anything without being criticized. So, Jesus teaches us how to relate to our brothers and sisters in the matter of judgementalism.
    Matthew 7:1–3 ESV
    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. 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?
    Matthew 7:4–6 ESV
    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. 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.
    Matthew 7:1 ESV
    1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
    The word Jesus used here for judge is Krino, it can imply to analyze or evaluate as well as to condemn or avenge. The first part of that is clearly commanded for believers (analyze and evaluate), but the latter is reserved for God alone. Even when we render a negative evaluation of someone it’s purpose should always be constructive and not destructive or retributive. As followers of Jesus we must make judgments. When Bro. Bobby preached through this in Luke, he used this example, you have to make a judgement that what I am saying right now is true. We must analyze and evaluate what we are being taught. There are many things we must judge.
    1 John 4:1 ESV
    1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
    We must make judgments on what is from God and what is not.
    John 7:24 ESV
    24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
    We are to exercise judgment, what we refrain from is hypercritical, condemning judgment. There is a world of difference between being discerningly critical and hypercritical. When a critic finds a fault in another they feel satisfaction, and they always see the worst in people. A good summary of what Jesus means is this “Do not judge others until you are prepared to be judged by the same standard. And when you exercise judgment towards others do it with humility”.
    Matthew 7:2 ESV
    2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
    we set the standard and tone for our own final judgment by our judgmental conduct in life. And we prove by our judging others that we know what is right. So, if we do not do what is right, we condemn ourselves. When we set ourselves as authorities and judges over others, we should not be surprised or complain when we are judged by our own standard. Can you stand against the same standard you measure others with? The tone of our life will become the tone of our judgment.
    2 Corinthians 5:10–11 ESV
    10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
    Matthew 7:3 ESV
    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?
    In verses 3-5 Jesus gives us an example to illustrate what He is talking about. He says you quickly point out the faults of others, but you do not see your own blatant sins. We are overly critical of others, but turn a blind eye to our own sin. We observe others through a microscope but look at ourselves through the wrong end of the binoculars. We want people to give us grace, but we are not willing to allow them any grace. We hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves.
    Matthew 7:4 ESV
    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?
    How can we tell others about their problems when we completely ignore our own. 4x4 illustration.
    Matthew 7:5 ESV
    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.
    Stop being a hypocrite Jesus says. Worry about your sin first, then you can address the sins of others. As believers we should be willing to encourage one another, and point out sinful habits in others, but only after a time of self-examination of the sin in our own lives. After that all of our correction, all of our encouragement should be seasoned with love, grace and evident humility. When we see ourselves as we are, we will see others as they are. Jesus is not encouraging a leave it alone attitude towards fellow believers. he wants us to discern the sins and shortcomings in others, but it must be done through clear, self-judged eyes, eyes that are tender and compassionate. It takes gentleness, carefulness, patience and sympathy. Our judgements are to come from the heart, a heart that truly desires to see someone else’s heart changed by the love of Christ, the good news.
    Matthew 7:6 ESV
    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.
    Speaking of the good news, verse 6 seems out of place. Jesus wants us to see that there is a time to walk away. When we are trying to get someone to see their sin, there can come a point when we stop pointing it out, we stop presenting the Gospel to them. Taking care with whom and how we share the truth is important for us to understand in our evangelistic efforts. There is a line we must walk between pushiness and apathy.

    To Judge or Not

    We should ask ourselves, who have I been critical of this week, last week, today. Has my focus on their faults blinded me to my own. Have I been overly critical of them and under critical of myself. Example of hypercritical. If the pastor is young he doesn’t know enough, if he has grey hair he can’t relate to the young people, if he drives an old car he is shaming his congregation, if he drives a new car he is focused on the world, if he preaches hell he is to harsh, if he does not he is compromising with the world.

      • Matthew 7:1–3ESV

      • Matthew 7:4–6ESV

      • Matthew 7:1ESV

      • 1 John 4:1ESV

      • John 7:24ESV

      • Matthew 7:2ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:10–11ESV

      • Matthew 7:3ESV

      • Matthew 7:4ESV

      • Matthew 7:5ESV

      • Matthew 7:6ESV

Mazie First Baptist
maziefirstbaptist@gmail.com
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