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Jesus said, “Don’t judge”, but did He mean that it’s always wrong to judge? Are we to silence our objections or can we follow the Golden Rule & still apply Godly judgment? Today we study Matt. 7:1-20, to rightly apply the most used/misused verse in the Bible.

Does this mean we should NEVER judge? That’s certainly what our culture thinks. 

• Are we to stiff-arm discernment & silence our objections OR…can we follow the Golden Rule & still apply Godly judgment?

2 Important Rules of Bible Interpretation:

1. Never Read a Bible Verse. The Bible was not meant to be lifted out one verse at a time any more than sentences from your letters are. Read the surrounding text to get the context.
2. View Scripture THRU Scripture. Consider other passages when you run into one that seems a little strange. Interpret what is UNCLEAR in light of what IS CLEAR.

There are different kinds of judgement: 

1. Evaluating what is right & wrong. Jesus is NOT saying we are never to judge between what is wrong and right. Christians are commanded to discern the difference between right and wrong (1 Jn 4:1; Jn 7:24). 
2. Confronting wrongdoing. JESUS commands His disciples to confront a fellow believer who is living in sin (Matt. 18:15–22). In order to do this, one MUST judge that another’s actions are sinful. The GOAL of the confrontation is merciful restoration. 
3. Condemning the wrongdoer as eternally guilty before God is the kind of judgment is what Jesus is warning the Christian against. God alone gives the final judgment.  

1 of 2 extremes (neither of which Jesus wants)

1. Unwilling to say that anyone or anything is WRONG - which gets us in the mess our culture is currently in.
2. OR we become quick to condemn others on behalf of God, without extending mercy. It’s this extreme that Jesus was warning His ancient audience against. This is what Jonah did - having experienced God’s mercy, but unwilling to extend His mercy to others. Jonah is UPSET that God is willing to graciously forgive His enemies when he says these words...

If the perfect Creator and Righteous Judge of all mankind is willing to extend mercy to His enemies, we should not be quick to condemn our enemies to hell. We can’t send them to hell; only God can.

BIG TRUTH: Judge with mercy… the kind of mercy we want extended to us. 

• What’s the measure of mercy you use? Would you pray this?: "God, judge me with the same kind of mercy I extend to others.”

This illustration of plank in the eye might have caused Jesus’ audience to laugh.

• King David was confronted by Nathan (2 Samuel 12). Nathan tells the story of a man who has many sheep who takes a lamb from another man. David says, “He should die. Have him pay back 4 times as much!” - Nathan says, “You’re the man!” (12:7). David was judging hypocritically - with a plank in his eye. 

Jesus is NOT saying we never confront & correct a brother or sister who is caught in sin (see Mt 18:15; Gal. 6:1). Jesus is NOT saying we should forget about removing the speck from our brother's eye, but to be gentle & humble when removing it. 

GODLY JUDGMENT: Judge with mercy & without hypocrisy.

After King David got busted by Nathan, he responded in repentance and wrote Ps. 51, which includes these words. 

Trusting that God would forgive him, David was like one beggar showing another beggar where to find the bread, and that should be OUR desire - 1) to make sure WE are right with God - then 2) desire to help others be right with Him.

What’s THAT all about? Jesus is talking about PEOPLE who act like dogs and pigs…and that’s quite a judgment.

• DOGS. In Jesus’ day most dogs were dirty & dangerous scavengers, not domesticated house pets. If you messed with them they might turn around and tear you to pieces. Some PEOPLE are like that.
• PIGS. For Jewish people, pigs were unclean nuisances who could tear up good farming ground. Throwing precious pearls into the middle of a pile of pigs wouldn’t cause them to stop suddenly and appreciate the beauty of the pearls.

When people respond to our Godly judgment (with mercy & without hypocrisy) - with anger or total disregard - we make a JUDGMENT that these people are pagan, unwilling to listen to GODLY JUDGMENT - and invest our time in those who WILL listen.

Followers of Jesus can trust that God hears, cares, & responds to our prayers. Ask, seek, & knock are 3 ways to say the same thing: Keep on calling on God!

• Have you STOPPED calling on God? Have you forgotten WHO you are asking?

Christians are to treat others with kindness - even their enemies. To love our neighbor as ourself is the teaching throughout the Scriptures (the Law and the Prophets).

Jesus warns His sheep of the dangers awaiting them. According to Jesus, many are following the path that leads to destruction, while only a few will follow the road that leads to eternal life. 

• The broad road to destruction is spacious and comfortable for any and everybody. 
• The narrow road isn’t comfortable, BUT...this narrow road leads to eternal life! 

Those who tell you anything different aren’t telling you the truth. 

False prophets are those who claim to speak for God, who pretend to be a part of the flock (in sheep’s clothing), who are really ferocious wolves licking their chops to feed on the sheep. More on how to recognize their fruit, next Sunday. 

• The reason why we can recognize what is false is because we judge rightly. 

‘Judge not' might be the mantra of our culture but this is NOT the meaning of the Scripture.

Christians are to apply both the Golden Rule & Godly judgment. We are to…

Judge with mercy & without hypocrisy.

1. Turn from YOUR SIN. What sin must you put to death? What plank is in YOUR eye?
2. Approach a brother/sister caught in sin with mercy. Who do you need to approach with prayerful & mercifully
3. Live the ‘Golden Rule’ daily. Serve someone this week. Show mercy this week. Forgive someone this week.

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.
2. Read Matthew 7:1-2. Why is it important that we judge others with MERCY? If you were caught in sin, how would you want another Christian to confront you about it? 
3. Read Matthew 7:3-4 & 18:15. Is Jesus saying we should never confront another brother/sister about their sin? Explain your answer. What should we make sure to do BEFORE we approach another person about their sin? Why is it so important that we Judge with mercy & without hypocrisy?
4. Read Psalm 51 and focus on vv12-13. After being forgiven much, what is David’s desire for others? What should we appreciate and apply from David’s example?
5. Read Matthew 7:6. What is this illustration all about? Read 1 Jn 4:1; Jn 7:24. How does it show that Jesus expects His people to judge rightly?
6. Read Matthew 7:7-11. How does this passage encourage you? What is something you are seeking the Father’s help with?
7. Read Matthew 7:12. How would our culture change if everyone applied ‘the Golden Rule’? Share an example of someone who has treated you this way. 
8. Read Matthew 7:13-14. Explain how this statement causes you concern for those around you. What are you doing/going to do about that?
9. Read Matthew 7:15-16a. Why is it that some false prophets/teachers are not quickly recognized? What are some ways we can recognize them? (Show up Sunday for next week’s teaching for more insight on how to spot false teachers.)
10. Share prayer needs and pray for one another.