Sermon Recap | May 25, 2025

May 28th, 2025

Insights from the Master [Part 4]

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses one of the most misunderstood concepts in Christianity: judgment. The word "judge" or its variations appears over 700 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in our spiritual journey. But what does Jesus really mean when He says, "Do not judge"?

What does "Do not judge" actually mean in the Bible?

In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus says:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

This passage is often misused when people say, "Who am I to judge?" as if making any judgment is fundamentally wrong. However, the Bible doesn't teach that all judgment is wrong—it's about the type of judgment we make.

Is all judgment wrong according to Scripture?

Without wise and proper judgment, our society would fall into chaos. In fact, the Bible distinguishes between righteous judgment and self-righteous judgment:

Righteous judgment seeks redemption and comes from a heart of discernment
Self-righteous judgment seeks condemnation and comes from pride

In John 7:24, Jesus clarifies: "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly." This shows that Jesus expects us to judge—but to do so correctly, with discernment rather than superficially.

How can we develop godly discernment?

Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 3:9, "Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong." Discernment is the ability to think biblically about all areas of life.

1 Thessalonians 5 instructs us to "examine everything carefully." This means not taking things at face value but thinking deeply and biblically about situations before forming judgments.

When we fail to exercise proper discernment, we can fall into gossip, division, and false judgments that harm relationships and communities.

What does self-righteous judgment look like?

In the Greek, the word "judge" in Matthew 7:1 specifically refers to condemning someone in a self-righteous way. Interestingly, 1 Peter 4:15 classifies a "meddler" (a self-appointed judge or busybody) alongside murderers and criminals—showing how seriously God takes this sin.

Self-righteous judgment:

Seeks to condemn rather than restore
Is often hypocritical (ignoring our own faults)
Aims to win arguments rather than hearts
Divides rather than unites

How did Jesus demonstrate proper judgment?

In John 8:3-11, we see Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees brought her before Jesus, hoping to trap Him. They had no genuine interest in the woman's welfare—only in using her as a pawn.

Jesus demonstrated several principles of righteous judgment:

He waited before speaking - Sometimes we need to hold our tongues until we have God's heart on a matter
He exposed hypocrisy - "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone"
He restored dignity - He spoke to her directly and compassionately
He sought redemption - "Go now and leave your life of sin"

Jesus never validated her sin, but He offered her a path to redemption. This is the heart of God—always seeking to redeem rather than destroy.

How does our judgment affect us personally?

Matthew 7:2 reveals a spiritual principle: "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This law of reciprocity means what we give out will return to us. When we judge harshly, we invite harsh judgment. When we judge mercifully, we receive mercy.

James 4:11-12 warns: "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it... There is only one lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"

When we judge legalistically, we place ourselves under that same law and will be crushed by it. Instead, we should operate from a place of grace.

How should we approach those who have fallen into sin?

Galatians 6:1 provides clear guidance: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently."

The goal is always restoration, not condemnation. When we see someone straying from God's path, we should reach out in love, reminding them of truth while offering support.

What does love-based judgment look like?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us the framework:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

When our judgments are filtered through this kind of love, they become tools for healing rather than weapons for harm.

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Life Application

The way we judge others reveals much about our own hearts. This week, challenge yourself to:

Examine your judgments - When you find yourself forming opinions about others, ask: "Am I seeking to redeem or condemn? Am I judging from love or pride?"
Practice the pause - Before speaking judgment, pause and pray for God's heart on the matter.
Start with self-examination - Remember Jesus' words about removing the plank from your own eye first.
Reach out redemptively - If someone you know has strayed from God's path, contact them with love and support rather than criticism.
Release the weight of others' judgments - If you've been wounded by harsh judgments, release their power over you, recognizing that God's opinion of you is what truly matters.

Ask yourself: