DO NOT JUDGE

Matthew 7:1-12
Key Verse 7:12

"So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

Having the right attitude when practicing Jesus’ teachings mentioned 5-6, so as not to look down on others, but have the right point of view. It could be easy to think then, Disciples>religious leaders>pagans. It’s not just to our brothers, but to everyone (see v.12).

1. Read verses 1-2. Why must we not judge others? Who is our Judge? What kind of judging do you think Jesus is referring to in this passage?

*We must not judge others because we are not the judge. Further, we also are under judgment. If we do judge others, we will be judged in the same way, even to the same measure. Knowing this humbles us and levels the high thoughts in our hearts and minds, because we know that we too are under judgment and have no place above another person.

>Romans 14:4 says, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

*The Lord is our Judge.

>The Apostle Paul even went so far as to not judge himself in this way, because he knew that the Lord is his judge. He says in 1 Corinthians 4:3-5, "3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." And then he struggled to be right before the Lord, rather than be right in his own eyes.

*The word "judge" here has the meaning of criticize, slander, or speak against, for the sake of bringing down. It also implies us putting ourselves above others. It is different from having discernment or being evaluative in a formal or intellectual way. It is the kind of judging we often find ourselves doing that has no benefit to others, to build them up, to encourage them.

>James 4:11-12: " 11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

(This attitude highly contrasts that of the religious leaders who judged others and looked down on them [e.g., the Pharisee praying near a tax collect, in Luke’s gospel.])

2. Read verses 3-5. What does the difference between a speck of dust and a plank tell us about our level of hypocrisy? How is it that we so often notice a speck of dust in someone's eye, yet are blind to the plank in our own? What should we do to be able to "see clearly"?

*It shows how big of a problem we have, not just in theory by judging others, but by our own actions before God.

*It means that our eyes are not good and we cannot see clearly. In many cases, we are looking at the wrong thing in the wrong way. We when look at ourselves, it is not with the strict standard we see others by. When we look at others, it is not in the generous way we see ourselves. In other cases, we tend to look at others for the sake of benefiting ourselves. For example, condemning another person's actions to feel righteousness about ourselves. We usually don't notice the plank in our own eye until someone points it out or we get into trouble.

*We need to "first take the plank out of our own eye." It doesn't mean to ignore the dust in others' eyes. But it says what we need to do "first". We should learn to be strict with ourselves in regards to righteousness. We should aim to be pure before the Lord, and perfect--beginning with ourselves in the strictest sense.  Jesus doesn’t want his followers to be hypocrites. We ourselves have to learn first and be an example, rather than just beating others down.  Instead, we see others problems, then judge in our hearts, and then slander that person to other people.


3. Read verse 6. Why is the type of judging in this verse necessary? How is it different from the judging mentioned in the previous verses? How can we apply this type of judging to ourselves?

*Because dogs do not know what to do with what is sacred, nor pigs with pearls. "They may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

*This type of judging is about a pure and correct discernment for the sake of what is sacred and treasured, and for the sake of others. In taking care of God's ministry, representing the Lord's name as his disciples and children, it is necessary to be able to see clearly and have proper discernment and action.

*And at the same time, we were all like dogs and pigs to the holy God. But did something for us in his grace and gave us sacred and treasured things in Jesus, and he helps us to live above the level of dogs and pigs, so that we can know what to do with sacred things as his children, properly. We need God's wisdom and mercy.

*We should not ignore everything about others under the excuse of the command "Do not judge." Otherwise, we will be trampled on and abuse the Lord's sacred things.

>1 Corinthians 5:12-13: "12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.' "  >For the purpose of representing the Lord's name, and for purpose of encouraging and correcting, to build others up. >Encourage, rebuke and correct, while being a man of integrity before God.

>>Prov. 9:7-8; 26:4-5; 11:22; 25:12.

4. Read verses 7-11. What should we ask for? What do the words "ask," "seek," and "knock" show about the effort we need to put in? How can we know we'll receive, find, and be opened to?

*In one sense, when we realize we have a plank in our eye, that we're hypocrites, and see our wretchedness, we need to ask at that time for the Lord's help. We cannot so easily make our hearts pure or remove the plank from our eyes. We can only go so far by our own efforts. It is the Lord's work inside of us that really makes the difference. We should ask for his help in this way, seek him, and knock on the door to have fellowship with him.

>Jesus doesn't just want us to not criticize others in judgment. He wants us to grow and be changed through asking of God and seeking him. This section is not about asking for everything and anything. But it's specifically related to growing and being changed from a hypocritical and wretched person, to a changed child of God in the image of our heavenly Father.

*We must make great efforts to seek our heavenly Father. We must mean business in being changed by him.

*Verse 8 says, "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Jesus also mentions about the goodness of our heavenly Father. Evil people know how to give good gifts to each other. How much more our heavenly Father will give good gifts to those who ask him! He is greater than our evil ways. We can be sure of our heavenly Father's goodness.


5. Read verses 11-12. How does our heavenly Father treat us? Do we deserve his good gifts? Then, how does he want us to treat others? When should we treat others this way?

*He is very generous and merciful to us.

*No.

*Verse 12: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..." Just as we want to be treated well by others, and especially by God, so should we treat others, without compromising at all. It is to practice love to our neighbors just as we love ourselves, and just as God has loved us in his mercy and generosity.

>The words "for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" shows further the Lord's reason for this high command. The Law and the Prophets represents the Lord's own value and heart. He has called us to live as he does, to grow up to his level, and to operate on the spiritual level as his children--and nothing less. It means that he is serious about his kingdom and blessing all people with his presence. Through the Law and the Prophets the Lord was teaching us about himself and how we should live up to his level.

* "In everything" It means, without fail in "everything". There is no relative excuse or reason to do otherwise. It means to reflect the perfection of our heavenly Father.

The end.

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