Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:1-2 (HCSB)
Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Today’s Question: What is your response when you see someone else entangled in sin?
Today’s Commentary:
Christians, watch the response you will get when you speak out about a moral issue. If you even hint that the Bible speaks of a “right” and a “wrong,” you run the risk of being labeled “judgmental.” Admittedly, I have presented arguments with a critical spirit (the wrong way). But other times, I have attempted to “speak the truth in love” to a brother in Christ who was entrapped in the deadly spiral of sin (the right way). In both scenarios, I have been accused of “judging.” Is there a time to judge?
Many uninformed people have proclaimed that Jesus condemns all judging of others. If this were true, then we would have a biblical quagmire. If Christians are called by Jesus to abstain from all judgments then…
– why does Jesus command us to examine the fruit of people’s lives? (Matthew 7:15-20)
– was Paul wrong to command the Corinthian believers to judge Him? (1 Corinthians 10:15)
– what was Paul’s instructions to the church in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 if we are not to judge? (He tells them to remove and not to associate with an immoral brother.)
– can we consider Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 18:15-20 to be the Biblical and practical way to handle conflict? How can this be accomplished without some form of a judgment being made?
– Was John the Apostle judging when he cautioned the Christians to test people because “…many false prophets have gone out into the world?” (See 1 John 4)
– Was Jesus contradicting Himself when He commanded, “Stop judging according to the outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)
It is obvious from the context of Scripture that Jesus was not condemning all forms of judgment. There is a time, a place, and a heart attitude in which judgment is prudent and biblical. William Hendriksen explains, “To be discriminating and critical is necessary; to be hypercritical is wrong. One should avoid saying what is untrue (Exodus 23:1), unnecessary (Proverbs 11:13), and unkind (Proverbs 18:8).”
Jesus is beginning a discourse within the Sermon on discernment and salvation. He wants His disciples to be careful about their judgments and use God-given discernment. Therefore, He begins with the statement found here in the first two verses: you will be judged by the same measuring rod you use to judge others. John Lightfoot notes, “This is a very common proverb among the Jews: In the measure that a man measureth, others measure to him.” We can find this to be a true statement in our society. In general, those who are more gracious with others will often receive grace; and those who are harsh with others should expect hostility in return.
But let us not confuse grace and discernment, for these are not in opposition. One of the most loving and kind things one can do is help someone who is destroying their life. Not to extend the Gospel to one who is without the hope of Christ is the most unloving thing we could do. Judging is sometimes necessary. So, in the next lesson, we will examine the prerequisite that Jesus sets before one should judge another.
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #46: Christians are called to discern the actions of others only by the measure for which God judges us: according to His Word.
Today’s Prayer Point: Pray that the Lord would give you a gracious and discerning spirit and not one that is hypercritical and harsh with others.
Shepherding Well 