1. 1 Judge Righteous Judgment “Judge not, that you be not judged!” “To separate, select, choose,” hence, “to determine,” and so “to judge, pronounce judgment” … “to decide…declare an opinion” Matthew 7:1 does not condemn all types of judgments … or Jesus contradicts Himself in John 7:24 1

2. 2 Judgments We Must Cease  Hypocritical judging of others, Matt. 7:1-5 – Harsh, fault-finding spirit – Points out others’ sins while doing the same thing – Rom. 2:1-2, 21-22 – Self-exalting & self-condemning – 7:2 (Example – Lk. 18:9-12, 14)

3. 3 Judgments We Must Cease  Judging by appearance, Jno. 7:24 – Surface judgments, subjective, not based on objective facts – Jno. 7:19-24 Appeared to break the Sabbath when they circumcised on that day … Didn’t!Appeared to break the Sabbath when they circumcised on that day … Didn’t! Jesus appeared to break the Sabbath when He healed on that day … Didn’t! (Matt. 12:7)Jesus appeared to break the Sabbath when He healed on that day … Didn’t! (Matt. 12:7) – Physical standard – Jno. 8:15; 1 Sam. 16:6-7 (Simon guilty, Lk. 7:43, 36-50)

4. 4 Judgments We Must Cease  Rash judgments, Prov. 18:13 (15:28) – Paul a victim of such – Acts 21:27-29 – Premature judgment is forbidden – 1 Cor. 4:5 “secret things, of which it is impossible that those who do not know the hearts of men should make up a judgment, do not judge of them before the time, when God will certainly come to judge all men.” (Poole, Online Bible)

5. 5 Judgments We Must Cease  Critical condemnation of others’ liberties, Rom. 14:3-4, 10, 13 – Allow others to exercise their consciences in areas of liberty without condemning them – Do not criticize each other when liberties are used differently – A matter of not meddling in the affairs of others – 1 Pet. 4:15  Evil speaking of others – Jas. 4:11- 12 (Eph. 4:29-32)

6. 6 Judge Righteous Judgment  How? – John 5:30 (7:24) – Right standard (the word of God) – Heb. 1:1-2; Rom. 10:17 – Right motive (seek the will of God) – Jno. 6:38 “My judgment is righteous”

7. 7 Judge Righteous Judgment  Judgments we must make: – What is right, Luke 12:57 – What is holy (pearls) & who is defiled (dogs, swine), Matt. 7:6 – The evidence that Jesus is the Son of God, Matt. 16:1-4 – False teachers, Matt. 7:15-20 – Truth from error, 1 Cor. 2:14-15

8. 8 Judge Righteous Judgment  Judgments we must make: – What is sin & stop it, Jno. 8:10- 11; Heb. 5:14 – What sin is among the saints & discipline it, 1 Cor. 5:3-5 – Disputes among brethren – 1 Cor. 6:1-2, 5 – What is proper, 1 Cor. 11:13

9. 9 One Law Giver James 4:12 GOD’S JUDGMENTS When we make such judgments using the right standard with right motive, we are not setting ourselves up as unrighteous judges! 1 Ths. 5:21-22 9 So we can hold fast to what is good, abstain from sin & teach others God’s will!