Matthew 7:1-6, “don’t judge” [Listen]

In many ways the essence of sin can be seen in humanity’s desire to be God. We want to do things our way, we want to dominate, control, and use people for our own purposes. In October we talked about lust – wanting to use someone (in this case sexually) without an appropriate commitment to their welfare. Today we’re going to talk about another outcome of our desire to be God – the judgment of others.

Matthew 7:1-6 (NIV)

“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.

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

What is Jesus talking about here? In what sense are we not to judge?

This can be a very difficult passage. It might be best if we step back and look at the context of Matthew 5-7 for possible clues as to what Jesus was talking about when he told those around him, “Don’t judge.”

Matthew 5-7 is a unit that could have been Jesus’ first major public talk, to perhaps hundreds, about his vision for God’s people – his vision for what it means to be thinking and acting the way God desires. Most of this vision was in contrast to the way the culture of the day operated (much like today).

The religious structure of the day was the focal point for Jesus’ culture. This structure contained spiritual leaders who, rather than guide the people toward God’s heart and the acceptance of the Messiah, were often focused on an earthly mission of self-serving power and controll; bending God’s call toward their own self-serving ends. The traditions and rituals of religion had been placed above God’s heart.

Often in these chapters Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said… but I tell you…” (5:21, 27, 33, 38, 43). Jesus is contrasting the power and tendency of the religious structure. It was the eletist leadership who basically determined if you were “in” or not. Much of the spiritual reality of the day had degenerated into a “club” mentality.
The ethos of the day was not one that aligned with the vision of Jesus for his people – SALVATION, HUMILITY, SUPPORT. God’s ways are different than the ways this world sanctions.

John 3:17 (NIV)

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Romans 14:13 (NIV)

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Our place here is not to judge the destiny of anyone – that is God’s position. When we judge, or act like we’re in position to judge, we are exhalting self, not God. Our call, primarily, is to be those instuments through which God moves people into his kingdom so that when judgment comes, they will have a Champion that has already won.

What is Jesus NOT talking about here?

“Do not judge” here has NOTHING to do with not knowing the difference between right and wrong. Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t be fanatical about pursuing what is right and killing sin in our lives (Romans 6)

Christians are asked to make vital judgements all the time. We are to be discerning about the lives of our elders, false prophets, embracing those who are proud of their sin, and anyone who does not espouse the true gospel.

Matthew 7:15-16 (NIV)

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

John 7:24 (NIV)

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

1 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV)

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

2 John 10-11 (NIV)

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

So, in this passage Jesus is talking about casting the ultimate verdict.  While we must be very aware of sin the ultimate verdict, and saving work, is God’s.

What is Jesus talking about in verse 6? Is he not telling us to judge?

Jesus was on an uncompromising mission that would offend some and save many. The call of Jesus in Matthew 5-7 is to be the people we are called to be – without comprimise. In this we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to be broken over our sin, humble, merciful, peacemakers. We are to long for what is right and be without lust or hate. We are to love our enemies, pray like crazy, and hold the things of this world with a very loose grip. Some will see God here and some will not. It is my prayer that God would use us to bring some into the Kingdom – some will hate us.

We must be transparent, loving, and absolutely faithful to Scripture – without compromise. We must live Jesus and speak Jesus without compromise to the message, in a language that our culture can understand. We must be faithful to the one who died for us – no compromise. In this I am praying that God would save many.

Jesus, in these three chapters, was not only sharing a vision for the way people of the Kingdom would live, he was contrasting his vision with the vision of the dominant religious leaders.  Jesus was saying that some will refuse the message – in this case the religious leaders. They will not embrace the truth and will actually see it as a threat. Jesus’ message was not for them. He came to find those who know they need healing, not those who can’t see their need (Mark 2:17). We must find those who know they need healing and focus on them.  If we spend our time and energy trying to persuade those who are hardened and obstinate we will, in the end, not see the victory God is developing.  We must love and serve them but spend the bulk of our time discipling those God is developing.

We do not reach people for God by compromising the message; we need to live an uncompromising message and depend on God to work.

John 6:37 (NIV)

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Acts 13:48 (NIV)

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

I think Matthew 7:6 embraces the reality that without God working our effort is lost. So, when does God work through us?; when we are faithful to our calling.

We don’t change or compromise the message – we live Jesus faithfully and wait for God to work. How are we doing?