Judging Christians
Matthew 7:1 NIV
Do not judge...
When people say, “Don’t judge” what they really mean is “Don’t judge ME.”
Matthew 7:1-12 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 turn and tear you to pieces. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NIV
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Matthew 7:5 NIV
First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
“We believe we’re walking around with ‘the spirit of discernment,’ but what we’re really doing is judging everyone, and behind us is a trail of broken hearts and broken relationships.” – Chris Frith
JUDGE: Krinō (Greek), To Condemn or Make a Final Judgment
John 7:24 NKJV
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.
How Do We Exercise Righteous Judgment?
- Take the Plank Out of Our Own Eye
Matthew 7:3-5 AMP
Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
How Do We Exercise Righteous Judgment?
- Take the Plank Out of Our Own Eye
- Correct Our Brothers & Sisters in Love
James 5:19-20 NIV
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Jude 22-23
Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
“While others are congratulating themselves, I have to sit humbly at the foot of the cross and marvel that I’m saved at all.” — Charles Spurgeon
How Do We Exercise Righteous Judgment?
- Take the Plank Out of Our Own Eye
- Correct Our Brothers & Sisters in Love
- Welcome Correction from Our Brothers & Sisters
Proverbs 12:1 NIV
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
