The teaching of the Bible and Jesus Christ is wonderfully balanced
Last week we had encouraging truth for the troubles of life – every reason not to worry
Jesus spends a lot of time teaching about worry – because we are prone to worry
We have every reason not to worry
We also need challenging words lest we become complacent/conceited
Judge not
A balance – not to forgo wisdom
Discern those who would hate the gospel and trample on the truth
Do not cast pearls before swine
Judge Not
A balance of truth – using right judgment (John 7:24)
Like a diamond
This is who Jesus Christ presents truth
Looking at v1-5
Overview:
What it does not mean?
What it does mean?
Jesus the epitome of the truth
What it does not mean?
Have you had people quote this verse to you?
It is a very well known verse
Often used to defend any wrongdoing
Taken out of context
Jesus says we should not suspend moral judgment
The Bible says the spiritual man judges all things
We are to be discerning
v15 – to judge a person’s teaching (examples)
There are non-negotiable fundamental truths
It is very serious to teach a false gospel
Phil 1:9 – A sign of Christian maturity is when our love grows in knowledge and discernment
Example of church discipline
It does not suspend all truths of the bible
What it does mean? (v1-5)
Not to have a censorius, hard, harsh spirit
The Pharisees were guilty of this – example of the Pharisees
Not with outward judgment
We all make mistakes – example of John Wesley and personal example
There are areas where we need to suspend judgment – Romans 14
Not judging people in secondary areas
Not judging in areas of conscience, not fundamental doctrines – examples of feasts or food
Reading
Rom 14:2-3 – do not despise/judge those who do not eat meet
Rom 14:4 – God is not judge, not you
Rom 14:10 – judge not, lest you be judged
Example of bitterness and unforgiveness
Judge not, lest you be judged
Put things right and do not live with bitterness/anger/judgmental spirit
"Judgement is without mercy" but Jesus says "blessed are the merciful" (Matt 5:7)
Have you ever judged someone and spread incorrect information – examples
Judge not, lest you be judged
Example of tower of Siloam
Picking up on minor things and making major things – example of the media
Reasonable/substantial evidence is required for convictions
We should give people the benefit of the doubt but without being gullible
Prov 18:17 – "The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him."
Prov 18:13 – "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him."
Example of marriage counselling
Reading Matt 7:1-2
You reap what you sow – the measure you use often comes back to you
God is absolutely fair and just – God will measure you with the measure you used
Good questions to ask first – is our speech kind, true, necessary?
Reading Matt 7:3-5
Ask those above questions
Ask questions of yourself – is your behaviour like theirs – examples
Prov 16:2
To realise our own thoughts/sins/motives – we need to read the Bible
Religious people are prone to being more judgmental that others – example of the Pharisees
Jesus called out the Pharisees
Examples
Jesus the epitome of the truth
Jesus called out sin and things that were contrary to God’s will
Jesus was clear He had not come to judge the world but save it – John 3:17
Jesus called out a harsh attitude in His apostles – Luke 9:55
Jesus longed to gather Jerusalem like a hen gathers her chicks
Jesus will come a second time in judgment
All who have not come to Him through the cross – will be judged by Jesus
Those who have not loved Jesus/God but themselves
James 4:10 – "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up"
James 4:11-12 – "Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another."
Every person will stand before Jesus
Closing Remarks
Live before Jesus Christ and not before men
Do not seek to have a censorious, faultfinding, judgmental spirit
