Judge Not

Q: What does the Bible say about judging others?

The Bible teaches us not to judge others hypocritically while ignoring our own faults. In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus commands us, 'Judge not, that you be not judged.' This verse is often quoted but frequently misapplied to prevent righteous discernment. The scripture clarifies that while we should avoid hypocritical judgment, there are discernments we must make about our own actions and others’ behaviors. The command encourages self-examination and humility, reminding us that we often have our own faults which we tend to overlook while scrutinizing others.

Q: How do we know the command 'judge not' is true?

'Judge not' is a command from Jesus in Matthew 7:1, emphasizing the need for humility and self-reflection. 'Judge not, that you be not judged' is a clear command from Christ, emphasized repeatedly throughout scripture. This command is not merely good advice but a foundational teaching that reminds us of our own shortcomings. As stated in Romans 2:1, when we judge others, we condemn ourselves because we often commit the same sins we criticize in others. This command embodies Christ's call for repentance and humility, inviting us to focus on our faults before pointing out those of others.

Q: Why is humility important for Christians?

Humility is essential because it fosters grace and prevents a judgmental spirit among believers. Humility lies at the heart of Christian character as it reflects Christ's own attitude of meekness and gentleness. In James 4:10, we are instructed to humble ourselves before the Lord, which is vital to our relationship with God and others. A humble heart recognizes our own sinfulness, leading to compassionate interactions rather than criticisms. When we see ourselves as undeserving recipients of God's grace, we find it easier to extend that grace towards others, fulfilling the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens.

Q: Why should Christians avoid a judgmental spirit?

A judgmental spirit is destructive and goes against the command of Christ to love one another. Christ warns against having a judgmental and critical spirit, stating that it can lead to a breakdown of relationships and creates a cycle of negativity. When we judge others, we often see ourselves criticized in return, reinforcing the harshness we extend to others. In Matthew 7:2, Jesus teaches that with the same measure we use, it will be measured back to us. A judgmental attitude contradicts the command to love others and to treat them as we would like to be treated, which is foundational to the Christian faith.

Q: What role does self-examination play in judging others?

Self-examination is crucial as it helps us recognize our own faults before judging others. Before addressing the faults in others, Jesus implores us to examine our own lives first. In Matthew 7:5, He illustrates the absurdity of trying to remove a splinter from someone else's eye while having a beam in our own. This metaphor captures the need for self-reflection and humility. By judging ourselves, we are reminded that we all fall short and are in need of grace, which cultivates compassion for others and prevents us from becoming judgmental. The goal is to help others by first attaining clarity about our own faults.

Judge not. I would say this is the most well-known verse in the Bible and the most often quoted verse in the Bible. Judge not. The Bible says, judge not. And it's usually used in a wrong way. Even if I'm conducting myself in a wrong way or doing something positively sinful, don't judge me. You're not supposed to judge. Somebody says something contrary to the gospel, and if you make a comment saying that's contrary to the gospel, don't judge. You shouldn't judge other people's religion.

Now there are judgments we have to make. In the context, verse six, of Matthew chapter seven, give not that which is holy unto the dogs. Now I have to make a judgment with regard to somebody, whether I'm not to give that which is holy to them. And I'm making a judgment whether or not they would be what Christ calls a dog, whatever he means by that. But he says next, cast not your pearls before swine. I have to make a judgment over not casting my pearls before somebody that I judge to be swine. So he's not talking about make no judgment at all.

They're judgments we have to make. I better judge what I'm hearing. Amen? I better judge what I'm hearing to see if it's according to the word of God. I want to be like the Noble Bereans who search the scriptures daily, whether these things be so, that's our only appeal. And I have to judge what I'm hearing if it's according to the word of God.

The Lord did say, judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. That's a command from Christ. Let me repeat it. Judge not according to appearance. Appearances are deceiving. Judge righteous judgment. Judging has its place. What would we do without a judicial system? What would we do without a court of law? We'd be in trouble, wouldn't we? Judging has its place.

Now, I've got that out of the way. Judging, a judgmental, censorious, Critical spirit is destructive to any relationship. Let me repeat that. A judgmental, censorious, critical spirit is destructive to any relationship. I don't care what relationship it is. It's destructive.

If we're not critical and we Verse 12 of this chapter, therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. For this is the law and the prophets. That's how significant that statement is. I'm to treat you the way I want to be treated. Now, if I don't criticize you, if I don't practice a censorious spirit toward you and correct you, and if I treat you the way I wanted to be treated, I'm gonna have a lot of friends. I'm gonna have a lot of people who love me. The opposite is true if I am critical of others and have a different and a more lenient standard that I put on myself, that I put on them, I'm not gonna have many friends. And I think the most beautiful example of what a non-judgmental spirit is, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

You know, the scripture says, then drew near all the sinners for to hear Him. They did not feel threatened. They did not feel judged. They did not feel condemned in His presence. I love the way the Lord said to that woman, taking an adultery woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, no man, Lord. He said, neither do I condemn thee. You see, because of what he did, there was nothing to condemn her for. Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more. more. Judge not that you be not judged. Now this is a command. Judge not. That's a command. It's not good advice. It's not given from a life coach. This is a command of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Judge not that you not that you be not judged. Anytime I judge someone, I am breaking the commandment of Christ. That's how all-encompassing this command is. Anytime I judge you, I am breaking the command of Christ. Judge not that you be not judged. Now, if that means, if I judge you, God will judge me and send me to hell. Nobody in this room is gonna be saved, and nobody outside of this room is gonna be saved because we all are such judgmental people. I hate being that way. It's wicked, it's evil, but thank God, the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin, and included in that is the sin of judging. It does mean this.

If I judge you, you will in turn judge me. If I am critical of you, you are going to be critical of me. And more than that, if I'm critical of you, you're going to be looking for reasons to criticize me. And you're going to find plenty of them if you're looking for them. There is no question about that. It just turns into a vicious cycle. If you perceive that I'm judgmental of you, oh, you're going to have an eye out for me, looking for things. I'm going to perceive you're judging me. It's a vicious cycle, isn't it?

Turn with me to James chapter four for a moment. Verse 11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. Now, let's look at where this is placed. Look at verse 10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Now, this is part of humbling yourself in his sight.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren, He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judges the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou? And it's in the original, you. Who are you? to judge another.

One of the great evidences of humility before God is not being judgmental of others. When by the grace of God, I'm humble before God, I see myself as the chief of sinners. And I esteem you as better than me, not just on the same level, but better than me. Speak not evil, do not slander, do not criticize.

This goes along with judging your brother. Here's what God says we're doing. When we do that, we're taking his role. There's one judge. There's one law giver. and you and I do not have any business judging anybody about anything. You, he says, you, I love the way he says that. I hear it spoken to me. You, who are you to judge somebody else with all the contradictions and warts and sin in your own life and in your own heart? Who are you to judge somebody else?

I ask you to turn to Romans chapter two. I think this is so poignant. Romans chapter two. Verse one. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest, for wherein thou judgest another, Thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest the same things." Really? Really. Look in verse 28 of chapter 1.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, not appropriate, being filled, being filled, not half full, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whispers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who, knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Are these people bad? Are these people evil? Do you realize these people are bad people that I just described? I don't think that there's a more gruesome description of mankind in all the Word of God than that. Now look what he says next. Therefore, are you one of these people that say, they're bad people. They're wrong. They're sinful. The Word of God will never justify that kind of behavior. They're wrong.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest, for wherein thou judgest another, these horrible people, thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest. doest, present tense, doest the same things. Thou art inexcusable, O man. Who's he mean by old man?

Me, you, everybody in this room, Everybody outside of this room, this is God's testimony of me and you. In your judging, in my judging of these people, we are personally guilty of committing the same sins we're judging them for. If someone says, no, I'm not, God says you are. Who am I to believe you are God? God says you are. And I know God's word is true and every man is a liar.

That's what the scripture says. Now, look in verse two of Romans chapter two. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. They are bad people, there's no question about that. God would be just in judging them. Leaving them to themselves, God would be just.

And thinkest thou, verse three, and thinkest thou this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and you do the same thing, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Now that's God's testimony of O man. O man includes everybody. So that we see that any time we set in judgment over somebody, we are practicing remarkable hypocrisy. Is it hypocritical for you to judge anybody? Sure is for me.

I think of that story of Nathan coming up to David and telling him this story of this man who had a little lamb. And he loved that lamb. And he set it at his table and he ate with his kids. He loved this lamb as his own child. Then he had a neighbor who was a rich man. who had flocks of sheep, hundreds of sheep, thousands of sheep, and a traveler came by and sought to have a place to stay, and the rich man took him in, but you know what he did? He went over and got that man's little lamb, killed it, and they had it for dinner when he had thousands.

You know what David said? David said, in his righteous indignation, as the Lord liveth, the man that doeth, that hath done this thing shall surely die. Nathan said, thou art the man. We can see the sins of others so much more clearly than we can see the sins of our own, can't we? Back to our text in Matthew chapter seven. Verse two. Verse one, judge not that you be not judged.

For with what judgment you judge, you should be judged. And with what measure you meet, it should be measured to you again. Now, With the judgment you judge, you shall be judged. With the measure you meet, it's going to be measured out to you in precise same fashion that you've measured it out.

If you're harsh, if you hold people's feet to the fire, if you bring them under law, that's how they're gonna judge you. They're going to be harsh with you. They're going to hold your feet to the fire. They're going to bring you under the law. If you're merciful and gracious and lenient, that's how they'll see you. They'll love you for it too. If I'm gracious and merciful and lenient, but if I'm critical, they're going to be critical of me. If I see the best in them, they're going to see the best in me. With the way you judge somebody, that's the way you will be judged. That's the way you will feel about those people. But more importantly, if you put somebody under the law, that's how God will deal with you. This is analogous to, if you don't forgive me in their trespasses, your Heavenly Father won't forgive you your trespasses.

I think of the words of James in James 2.13, For he shall have judgment without mercy that has shown no mercy. And mercy rejoiceth against judgment. I love that passage of scripture with regard to our God. He, in Micah chapter seven, verse 18, he delighteth in mercy. He delighteth in mercy.

And the Lord said, with what measure you meet, it will be measured to you again. This is quoted in Luke chapter 26, or Luke chapter six, if you turn there for a moment, Luke chapter six. Verse 38, give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you meet, with all it shall be measured to you. In the context, look in verse 28. And this is so beautiful.

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee, and him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. As you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.

For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? For sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you? And it's important to notice that word thank is the same word translated grace. What grace do you have? For sinners also do even the same to them. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? For sinners also lend to sinners who receive as much again.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again. And your reward shall be great, and you shall be of the children of the highest, for he is kind unto the unthankful and the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.

Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. given and shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure you meet, that meet with all, it shall be measured to you again." Now let's go back to Matthew chapter 7. The Lord gives us a question. And verse 3, Here's the question. This is what is said to me. This is what's said to you.

And why beholdest thou the mote, the sawdust, the tiny splinter that's in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam, the plank, the two before that's in your own eye? You got a two before sticking out of your eye. And I mean, the language is kind of funny, isn't it? The way the Lord presents us with a caricature of how ridiculous we are when we can spot out the moat in our brother's eye. You got a two before in your eye. How are you gonna find the splinter, the moat, the sawdust that's in your brother's eye? Really, what is amazing is I've got a two before in my eye and I don't see it. I'm not even aware that I have it, but I can see my brother's sawdust that's in his eye, but I got a two by four, eight feet long, two by four sticking out of my eye.

And that's the language the Lord is using to let us know how ridiculous it is when we judge somebody. Why beholdest thou the moat that's in thy brother's eye, but consider it's not the beam, the plank that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye, and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? You can't do it. You can't do it. It is impossible.

If I've got a beam sticking out of my own eye, I can't help you with the mote, the small sawdust that is in Your eye, you know, every one of us, what, this is scary. The fellow that has this beam sticking out of his eye, he didn't know he has it. He's not aware of it. Every one of us are blind to things about ourselves that we see in other people very clearly. Can you say amen to that? It's scary to think of the things in myself that I am blind to. And look what the Lord says about this thing of judging.

Verse five, thou hypocrite. Earlier, he talked about the people who give to help people. And they sound out a trumpet to let everybody know and they're doing it. He calls them the hypocrites. He talks about that person who prays publicly so everyone will know how spiritual he is. He says, hypocrite. And then he talks about that person that fasts and lets you know he's fasting or she's fasting with the expression and countenance of their face, the Lord says, hypocrite.

And then concerning this one who judges with the plank going out of their own eye, able to see the motes in their brother's eye, 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." When you get all the beams out of your own eye, then you'll be a competent judge and be able to help your brother with that mote in his eye. Now, here's my question. Is there ever a time in this lifetime when we have no beams and we're able to help our brother with their motes? There isn't. And the problem with beans is most of the time we don't even see them.

Let me give you 10 reasons not to judge and then make a gospel application. Number one, when I judge, it's disobedience to the command of Christ. He said, judge not. Every time I judge you, I'm sinning against Christ. He said not to do it. Number two, because it's so hypocritical. Every time I judge somebody, I'm such a hypocrite, because I do the same things I'm judging them for. And somebody says, no, I'm not. Well, God says you are. He said, You the judge doest, not you used to do. In your heart, outwardly, inwardly, I don't know, but the Lord says, you the judge, you do the same things.

In judging another, number three, we assume a position that only belongs to God. He is the only one that can judge. He's the only one that has the sight to see how to make a judgment. He's the righteous judge. I'm not the judge of the earthly right. Me and you don't have any business judging anybody. It's only God's prerogative to judge. And we don't have enough information to make an accurate judgment on anything in the first place.

I can't see what you're going through. I don't know what's happened. You know, I see somebody with a limp in his walk. Straighten up, walk right. I don't know about the pebble in his shoe that's causing him trouble. And if I was put in the same place, I'd be worse. I ought to always have that attitude toward my brother. I don't have any information that would make me able to render a proper judgment with regard to you. And so I'm foolish when I do that. I like this. The person you're judging doesn't answer to you. I love it when Paul said, Who are you to judge another man's servant? He doesn't answer to you. You have no business. I have no business judging another man's servant. And Christ, the Lord, did not have this judgmental spirit. Absolutely holy. Absolutely perfect. And he, Steve read it, meek, lowly in heart. You wouldn't feel threatened.

You wouldn't feel judged by him, the creator of the universe, the holy one of Israel. He says, come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I'm meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your soul.

Judging is contrary to love. I love that scripture, love thinketh no evil. Love covers the transgression. Don't you love that? I'm so thankful He covers all my transgressions. Judging is contrary to the law of Christ. And notice I said the law of Christ.

Brethren, Galatians 6.1, if a man be, this next word is a strong word, overtaken. overtaken in a fault, in a sin, in a trespass. Would it be easy for you to be overtaken by any sin? Be easy, wouldn't it? You which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, Well, how do you restore them?

Is it confronting them? No, it's preach the gospel to them. That's what happens when you restore a brother, you just preach the gospel to them. Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted, knowing that if you're tempted like he is, you'll fall worse than he does. You consider that, you take that into account, you really believe it. Bear ye one another's burdens, put up with one another, and so fulfill ye the law of Christ.

If we judge, we will be judged by everybody around us, everybody that judges you. You know, I thought about this. How many relationships have I hurt by being critical of somebody and judging somebody? And sometimes it's never the same. May God give us the grace to all censorious, critical spirit be done away with. Wouldn't it be a blessing?

Judging is the religion of the Pharisee. He spake this parable unto certain that trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. And I love the way the Lord in this passage in the Sermon on the Mount, lets us know about the ridiculousness of judging by giving us this picture of this man with the two before sticking out of his eye. What a caricature to describe how ridiculous it is for this man with the two before to try to help his brother with the motes in their eye.

Turn with me to Romans chapter 14. Verse 13, let us not therefore judge one another anymore. Don't you love that commandment? Stop it. Don't do it anymore. The judge is rather that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 11. I'm going to show you good judgment. Here's who you and I should judge. Verse 31, for if we would judge who? Ourselves. Now there's somebody I have a reason to criticize. If we should judge ourselves before God, guilty as charged. My hand on my mouth. We know that whatsoever things the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped and all the world become guilty before God. Subject to the judgment of God. Whatever He says about me is just, right, holy, and true. Now, let me tell you what I'll do when I judge myself. I'll look to Jesus Christ alone as my only ground of salvation. I know I have nothing else. All I have is the righteousness and merits of Jesus Christ, and I look to Him alone. I don't look anywhere else.

You know, when you're doing that, you're really not even conscious of your brother's faults. You're more conscious of your own. That's your problem. You are the problem, not your brother. You are the problem. And when I do that, that's when I look to Christ only as everything in my salvation. You see, there are two kinds of people in this world. I like saying that a lot. They're all the same. But there's two kinds of people in this world.

Those who judge God and justify themselves. And those who judge themselves and justify God. All the difference in the world. I judge myself, I condemn myself, I justify God. I'm so thankful for his way of being just and justifying the ungodly. Oh, I'm so thankful for that. It's always such a blessing to judge yourself. I'm afraid I do far too little of it.

But what a blessing it is when the Lord enables me to judge, condemn myself, my mouth shut, and I justify God in His condemnation of me. But thank God I can also justify God in His salvation of me because it's a just salvation. The justice and righteousness of God demands my salvation. How glorious is that? And what about when I justify myself and I set in judgment on God?

Every unbeliever, they think they are. God's judge. I don't agree with this. This is right. This is not fair. This is too strict. This is too harsh. Judging God. He's being too hard on me. I did this right. I did that. No. No. Judge myself. Justify God. Really, that's what faith is. Justifying God. Do you remember when Job failed to justify God. He wouldn't let go of his own righteousness, but the Lord was able to make him let go of his righteousness and look to the righteousness of Christ only. Let us not judge one another anymore. Amen. Let's pray.

Lord, how we thank you for the gift of your son, for his sacrifice that made the way for you to be just and justify the ungodly. Lord, by your grace, we're more enamored, amazed by your wisdom, your power, your grace, your love, making the way for you to be absolutely just and justify ungodly sinners through the gospel of thy dear son. And Lord, we ask that by your grace, we might not judge one another anymore. Lord, we confess our sinfulness and being judgmental, critical, censorious, We pray for your forgiveness in that. Bless this message for Christ's sake. In his name we pray, amen.

Judge Not

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about judging others?

How do we know the command 'judge not' is true?

Why is humility important for Christians?

Why should Christians avoid a judgmental spirit?

What role does self-examination play in judging others?

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Judge Not

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about judging others?

How do we know the command 'judge not' is true?

Why is humility important for Christians?

Why should Christians avoid a judgmental spirit?

What role does self-examination play in judging others?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

Comments

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