“Judge Not That Ye Be Not Judged”

Introduction: Read Matt. 7:1. Men often stretch this little verse out of shape.

1. They make it mean what it never did.

2. If you mention the word “sin” this passage is often parroted.

3. However, Jesus did not leave this statement without clarification.

Discussion:

I. Righteous Judgment Not Included

1. John 7:24. When men gather evidence and come to a conclusion (even if that conclusion is that a man is in sin) this is righteous judgment.

2. 1 Thess. 5:21. Prove all things.

3. Acts 8:21-23. Peter made a conclusion that a man was in sin and told him so. This is not what was meant by “Judge not…”

II. False Judgment Then is What is Meant

1. False standard, false evidence, false reasoning.

2. Matt. 12:1-8. Condemning the guiltless. False standard.

3. Matt. 26:59-60. Bringing false witnesses.

4. Matt. 22:23-33. False reasoning.

Conclusion:

— We don’t err when we point out the sins of another and use the right standard, right evidence, and right reasoning.

Notes for a Wednesday night devotional