DO NOT JUDGE!
Matthew 7:1-6

One of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture is the first verse of Matthew 7:  Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  It has been used in ways to silence many people from interacting with major issues.  The liberal has used this verse to challenge the responses of the conservative as being judgmental and so to come under the penalty of God.

Friends, there is a fine line drawn between being judgmental and of being confrontational.  The first always possesses a critical spirit while the second is to be wrapped in love.  But it is difficult not to be critical, isn’t it?  We want to feel we are right and like to trumpet that to others.  Most of us are umpires at heart; we like to call balls and strikes on somebody else.

As we examine our text, Matthew 7:1-6, we soon discover that Jesus does not condemn us for having views on right and wrong.  Jesus is not saying that we should turn a blind eye to sin.  Later, in this same chapter, Jesus will warn us to judge who speaks for God and who does not:  Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves (Matthew 7:15).  Still, later on in Matthew, He tells us to confront those who error:  If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church’ and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (Matthew 18:15-17).  Even the Apostle Paul warns us against associating with people of wrongful character:  But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.  With such a man do not even eat (1 Corinthians 5:11).  Each of these verses compels us to make a judgment. 

Friends, some things are wrong…period!  Why? because the Bible states that they are.  Murder is wrong.  Stealing is wrong.  Adultery is wrong.  These are areas we can stand up and condemn because the Bible affirms that wrongness.  Let’s not be intimidated with the use of Matthew 7:1.  That is not what Jesus meant!

In our next study, we will examine what Jesus did mean when He commanded us not to judge.

Father, How we need some good old fashioned spiritual backbone today to stand up and to shout out against many of the injustices and sins of our time.  We have lived in the fear of being called judgmental and have been quiet.  Open our hearts, minds, and mouths that we might proclaim Your words.  This I pray in Christ’s name.  Amen.  

 

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