2. “Judge Not” “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2) “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

3. We Must Use Good Judgment “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16) “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

4. Matthew 7:1-5 The context of this verse makes it clear that Jesus is dealing with hypocritical fault-finding. The context of this verse makes it clear that Jesus is dealing with hypocritical fault-finding. “And 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? “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? “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) “And 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? “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? “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) The judging forbidden is the hypocritical kind that finds fault with others while neglecting to examine oneself. The judging forbidden is the hypocritical kind that finds fault with others while neglecting to examine oneself.

5. CRITICISM: WORDS OF LIFE OR DEATH “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 16:21) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 16:21) “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:15) “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:15)

6. WHY PEOPLE CRITICISE In Order To Cover Their Own Faults In Order To Cover Their Own Faults “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) We need to first examine ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word! James 1:22-25; 2 Corinthians 13:5 We need to first examine ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word! James 1:22-25; 2 Corinthians 13:5

7. WHY PEOPLE CRITICISE Because of a poor-self image and feeling inferior to others Because of a poor-self image and feeling inferior to others “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…” (Romans 12:10) “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…” (Romans 12:10)

8. WHY PEOPLE CRITICISE Because of pride and self-righteousness Because of pride and self-righteousness We need to exercise Wisdom “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17-18) We need to exercise Wisdom “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17-18)

9. WHY PEOPLE CRITICISE Because of jealousy or holding a grudge Because of jealousy or holding a grudge “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24) “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

10. WHY PEOPLE CRITICISE Negative Criticism Becomes A Habit Negative Criticism Becomes A Habit “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law…” (James 4:11) “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law…” (James 4:11) “….let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19) “….let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19)

11. WHY PEOPLE CRITICISE Destructive Criticism Breeds Gossip Destructive Criticism Breeds Gossip “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20) “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20) “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” (Proverbs 16:28) “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)

12. Rotary International’s Four Way Test: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it bring good will and better friendship? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

13. Exercise Caution In Constructive Criticism  Our knowledge of the facts may be only partial. (Get the facts, not just hearsay.)  The facts we know may not be "understood" or interpreted properly  It is next to impossible to be impartial in our judgments.  We can only judge the outside; God only can see the heart.

14. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY Don't find fault with the man who limps Or stumbles along life's road Unless you have worn the shoes he wears, Or struggled beneath his load. There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, Though hidden away from our view. The burden he bears, if placed on your back Might cause you to stumble too. Don't be too hard on the man who errs, Or pelt him with wood or stone, Unless you are sure - yea, double sure, That you have no fault of your own. Don't find fault with the man who limps Or stumbles along life's road Unless you have worn the shoes he wears, Or struggled beneath his load. There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, Though hidden away from our view. The burden he bears, if placed on your back Might cause you to stumble too. Don't be too hard on the man who errs, Or pelt him with wood or stone, Unless you are sure - yea, double sure, That you have no fault of your own.

15. Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) “Don’t judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes.”

16. Exercise Love In Constructive Criticism I Corinthians 13:4-8 – LOVE: Is Longsuffering - Eph. 4:3; Col. 3:12-13Is Longsuffering - Eph. 4:3; Col. 3:12-13 Does not envy – not jealousDoes not envy – not jealous Not arrogant or conceited - Phil. 2:3-5Not arrogant or conceited - Phil. 2:3-5 Does not act rudely - Col. 3:12Does not act rudely - Col. 3:12 Is not selfish – James 3:14-16Is not selfish – James 3:14-16 Does not hold grudges - Col. 3:13-14Does not hold grudges - Col. 3:13-14

17. Exercise Love In Constructive Criticism I Corinthians 13:4-8 – LOVE: Vs. 7 – “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].” (Amplified Bible)

18. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:14-15) “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:14-15)