1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4. 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? 5. 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.” Matthew 7:1-5

English = judge, determine, condemn, call in question “To select” “Come to a conclusion, make a determination”

V.1&2 used to Forbid all manner of Judgment  Any unfavorable criticism  Practice “Church Discipline”  Exposing False Teacher V. 1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Does not forbid all judging Verse 6 – do not give what is holy to dogs Verses – false prophets Does not condemn religious controversy Jude 3 - earnestly contend for the faith Christ was in controversy - Mt. 22:15-46 Early Christians in controversy Acts 6,7,17

V.1&2 used to Forbid all manner of Judgment Prohibited: Harsh, unkind, unjust judgment To say it is wrong to judge others is self contradictory “If it is always wrong to judge others then how can you judge as wrong one who is judging others.” It is like arguing that it is wrong to argue. It is debating that it is wrong to debate. John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

V.1&2 used to Forbid all manner of Judgment v. 2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” We will receive what we give From Men From God - James 2:13 Reap what we sow Matt. 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Jesus explains the “kind” of Judging He condemns Matthew 7: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4. 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? 5. 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.”

Jesus explains the “kind” of Judging He condemns Judging when blind to His/Her own faults Mote – small speck of dust Beam – Large piece of wood Mote = some fault we find in others Beam = larger fault of being a mote hunter

Jesus explains the “kind” of Judging He condemns Pretend to hate sin – but tolerate it in your own life Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Clean up your own life first – then help your brother !

Jesus explains the “kind” of Judging He condemns Romans 2: Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22. Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Jesus explains the “kind” of Judging He condemns There are times when we must make judgments  “After” we have corrected our own faults  First remove the “beam from our own eye”  Now we are able to help others overcome their faults

Lessons about Judging Some kind of judging is wrong  Self-righteous, loveless judging Eph.4:32 “Be ye kind one to another”  Assigning destinies to others Jesus will take care of that - Matt. 25  Expecting from others what you do not do Practice what we preach Matt. 23:3-5 “they say and do not”

Lessons about Judging Another kind of judging is right  Inspect to see if they are good or bad Matt.7:20 “by their fruits ye shall know”  We can correct Gal. 6:1 “restore” James 5:19 “convert”

Lessons about Judging Another kind of judging is right  Can tell difference between right and wrong 1 John 4:1 “try the spirits” 2 John 9-11 “abideth in the doctrine of Christ” Rom. 16:17-18 “mark them which cause divisions”

Lessons about Judging Another kind of judging is right  We can withdraw from the disorderly 2 Thes. 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” Rom. 16:17 “Mark them” “avoid them”

Lessons about Judging Another kind of judging is right  We are to judge them that are in the church 1 Cor. 5: For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

Lessons about Judging Judgments made in civil courts are to be accepted unless they are in violation of a law of God. Rom. 12:1ff

Matthew 7:1-5 Should not engage in… self righteous loveless harsh unmerciful JUDGMENT “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” John 7:24

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening March 3, 2013