MATTHEW 7:1-6 To Judge or Not to Judge

Unfavorable criticism? Exercising church discipline? Exposing those who teach error? What was Jesus talking about? Should we keep our silence when people are in error? When the church is under reproach? When teachers hold or teach doctrinal error?

Unfavorable criticism? Exercising church discipline? Exposing those who teach error? What was Jesus talking about? Greek; krinos- To separate, select, choose, determine

Consider the immediate context “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (Matthew 7:6, ESV) Gk. krinos; to separate, select, choose, determine How shall we determine between dogs and holy? How shall we choose between pearls and pigs?

Consider the immediate context “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:15-20, ESV) Must be able to judge the fruits of false teachers

Consider the larger context …now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13, ESV) Must be able to judge those within the church

Consider the larger context Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1, ESV) Must be able to test/judge the spirits

What kind of judgment is condemned? Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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. (Matthew 7:3-5, ESV) When the judge is blind to his own faults

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1, ESV) The same kind of introspection as Paul advocated

What kind of judgment is condemned? Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Luke 6:36-37, ESV) When the judgment lacks mercy and love For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13, ESV)

It is implied that we MUST make judgments AFTER we remove the beam from our own eye We MUST judge between the worthy and dogs/swine

We MUST make judgments As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. (Matthew 10:12-15, ESV)

We MUST make judgments The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:44-46, ESV)

ARE YOU READY FOR THE GREAT JUDMENT? Lenski’s comments on the type of judging condemned… “self-righteous, hypocritical, judging what is false and calls down God’s judgment on itself.” For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)