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, determineHow 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)