Is it wrong to Judge others? “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Matt 7:1

Many believe all controversy in religion is wrong True—not to “argumentative” or be divisive over “disputable matters.” True—not to “argumentative” or be divisive over “disputable matters.” There is a sense in which we are not to judge others….yet must reconcile… There is a sense in which we are not to judge others….yet must reconcile… Jude 3 “Content earnestly for the faith.” Jude 3 “Content earnestly for the faith.” Timothy - “Set for the defense of the gospel” Timothy - “Set for the defense of the gospel”

The Example of Christ and the Apostles Christ was in a series of religious controversies --- Christ was in a series of religious controversies --- Matt 22: Pharisees Matt 22: Pharisees Lk 21 – “The day of controversy.” Lk 21 – “The day of controversy.” The book of Acts is filled with controversies that arose from preaching. Acts 7 (Stephen), Acts 17 (Paul Mars Hill) The book of Acts is filled with controversies that arose from preaching. Acts 7 (Stephen), Acts 17 (Paul Mars Hill)

Must have the right attitude Ephesians 4:15 “Speak the truth in love.” Ephesians 4:15 “Speak the truth in love.” 2 Tim 2:22-26 “Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord's bond- servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil.” 2 Tim 2:22-26 “Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord's bond- servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil.”

Right attitude 1 Peter 3:15-16 “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame 1 Peter 3:15-16 “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame

Right attitude Col 4:4-6 Make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Col 4:4-6 Make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Judge not lest you be judged! “The Sum of thy word is truth!” Ps 119:160 “The Sum of thy word is truth!” Ps 119:160 How does all of this fit together? How does all of this fit together? II Cor 13:5 “Try yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” II Cor 13:5 “Try yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” I Thess 5:21 “Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.” I Thess 5:21 “Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.”

Must have Balance “The Bible is like a cage full of strong, ferocious animals. One cannot be allowed to swallow up the other. They must be kept in proper relationship. “The Bible is like a cage full of strong, ferocious animals. One cannot be allowed to swallow up the other. They must be kept in proper relationship. The Bible teaching on heaven does not swallow up what is says on hell, or vice versa. The Bible teaching on heaven does not swallow up what is says on hell, or vice versa. Must be careful in teaching people not to be self-righteous, not to swallow up and forget the teaching about standing firmly against ungodliness and departure from the word of God.” Must be careful in teaching people not to be self-righteous, not to swallow up and forget the teaching about standing firmly against ungodliness and departure from the word of God.”

Examine the “Judge Not” text itself Matt 7:1-6 " Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Matt 7:1-6 " Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 " Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? 3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 " Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

What is Jesus warning against? Hypercritical, Self-righteous judgment. Hypercritical, Self-righteous judgment. Condemns one kind and commands another! Condemns one kind and commands another! Matt 7:6 " Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matt 7:6 " Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matt 7:15-16 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matt 7:15-16 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Gives the basis of judging: 16 "You will know them by their fruits. Gives the basis of judging: 16 "You will know them by their fruits.

Good and Bad Judging Jesus: “Judge not according to appearances but judge righteous judgment.” Jn 7:24 Jesus: “Judge not according to appearances but judge righteous judgment.” Jn 7:24 “Righteous judgment” is commanded! “Righteous judgment” is commanded! Luke 12: And He was also saying to the crowds, " When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it turns out. 55 "And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be a hot day,' and it turns out that way. 56 "You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? Luke 12: And He was also saying to the crowds, " When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it turns out. 55 "And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be a hot day,' and it turns out that way. 56 "You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? 57 "And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 57 "And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?

Christians are to make judgments 1 Cor 2:14-16: 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things. 1 Cor 2:14-16: 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things. We are to have the mind of Christ as our standard. (Vs 8-13) We are to have the mind of Christ as our standard. (Vs 8-13)

Christians are to be making judgments Phil 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; Phil 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

Saints will judge the world! 1 Cor 6:2-6 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to judge the smallest matters? 1 Cor 6:2-6 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

Oh Consistency, thou art jewel If a man steals = thief! If a man steals = thief! If a man murders = murderer If a man murders = murderer You’re being judgmental! You’re being judgmental! Isn’t that judging? Isn’t that judging?

Truth or Consequences.. If “you can’t judge others” universally is right …. If “you can’t judge others” universally is right …. Then … Then … Must quit preaching and telling others of sin! Must quit preaching and telling others of sin! The church is condemned for doing the very thing Christ praised if for doing. Rev 2:2-3 2' I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false. The church is condemned for doing the very thing Christ praised if for doing. Rev 2:2-3 2' I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false. The church could never practice church discipline as commanded in I Cor 5. The church could never practice church discipline as commanded in I Cor 5.

Conclusion: Condemned fault finding, hypercritical treatments of others. Condemned fault finding, hypercritical treatments of others. Taught us to be “Fruit inspectors” – based upon evidence not a “rush to judgment.” Taught us to be “Fruit inspectors” – based upon evidence not a “rush to judgment.” Make judgments based upon His word! Jn 12:48 Make judgments based upon His word! Jn 12:48 Taught us to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to make my conscience your guide! Rm 13, Taught us to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to make my conscience your guide! Rm 13,

Christ is the ultimate judge of eternal matters 2 Tim 4:8 The Lord, the righteous Judge... 2 Tim 4:8 The Lord, the righteous Judge... Acts 10:42-43 This is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42-43 This is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 17:30-31 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

Epilogue/Concerns: Must Not act like we can take the place of God in final judgment in regard to honest brethren with whom we differ... Rm 14:12 Must Not act like we can take the place of God in final judgment in regard to honest brethren with whom we differ... Rm 14:12 How far will God’s grace go? How far will God’s grace go? Heb 10:26 “willful sin” will void his sacrifice! Heb 10:26 “willful sin” will void his sacrifice! What about sincere differences of interpretation? What about sincere differences of interpretation? Sins committed in “unawares?” Sins committed in “unawares?” 2 Tim 2:19: 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His.“ 2 Tim 2:19: 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His.“ Rm 14:12 “Each man must give his own account unto God.” Rm 14:12 “Each man must give his own account unto God.”

God will be just and merciful! Will the judge of all the earth do that which is right? Gen 18:25 Will the judge of all the earth do that which is right? Gen 18:25 I could not fellowship with someone that forces me to violate my conscience, but that does not mean I can or should pronounce my brother as lost! I could not fellowship with someone that forces me to violate my conscience, but that does not mean I can or should pronounce my brother as lost! Best answer in many cases: I Don’t know! Best answer in many cases: I Don’t know! As judge He can pardon people and take in account the whole picture… I can’t!! As judge He can pardon people and take in account the whole picture… I can’t!!

Final judgment is up to Him! Hasn’t God’s judgments surprised you at times? Hasn’t God’s judgments surprised you at times? Uzzah touches the ark -- seems too strict. Uzzah touches the ark -- seems too strict. David and Bathsheba – stays on throne, gets away with murder? David and Bathsheba – stays on throne, gets away with murder? Church at Corinth!! Church at Corinth!! Isa 55:8-9 Isa 55:8-9

Invitation I do know for sure--- I do know for sure--- God is not mocked… God is not mocked… He will judge us one day… He will judge us one day… Be as careful with spiritual matters as possible Be as careful with spiritual matters as possible Don’t delay!! Don’t delay!!