The Truth About Judging

Introduction:
In the last section of the sermon on the mount—Jesus begins to stress the need for the Christian to possess a constant awareness of God’s presence and the final judgment. This life is to be spent in preparation for the next—therefore we must get ready to meet God! What is the point behind Matthew 7:1-2? Our understanding of righteousness in the kingdom should not produce a sprit of harsh judgment within us. We need not be uncaring and self righteous so that we become more concerned with the sins of others than with our own. If the sermon is first applied rigorously at home we will find the compassion and humility to treat the sins of others. (Paul Earnhart)

I. Matthew 7:1 can be easily ______________________.
A. Matter often goes to extremes. Can result in compromise; tranquility; ________ at all costs.
B. Or, some find themselves tempted to justify ______ by __________ others.

II. What Judging is NOT:
    A. It is not forming or expressing an ____________ about others.
        1. We must exercise judgment; ________________ - See Mt. 7:6
        2. See also Mt. 7:15; 7:20—Can we do these things w/o assessment?
    B. It is not a condemnation of our ________ system. Officials are appointed by God! Rom. 13:4
    C. It is not recognizing & exposing ___________ error & false doctrine!
        1. Mt. 15:9—_________ did! Gal. 1:6-9—_______ did! See also 1 Jhn. 4:1; 2 Jhn. 9
        2. There is a _________ way and a ___________ way in religion!
    D. It is not ____________ against sin!
        1. Jesus did. 2 Tim. 3:16-4:2—_____________ to do the same!

III. What kind of judging is ______________?
    A. It is the possession of a _____-________ spirit.
        1. A feeling of ___________. An attitude of contempt!
        2. 1 Pet. 5:5—look at the attitude the Christian to have!
    B. It is being ________________.
        1. This person delights in tearing another person down!
    C. It is putting ____________ & prejudices above ___________.
        1. Jhn. 7:24—Make sure it’s sinful behavior that is condemned!
        2. Don’t let personality get in the way of being objective!
    D. It is forming an ____________ w/o all the _______!
    E. It is the judgment of ____________.
        1. 1 Cor. 2:11—Impossible to know the motive behind the deed!
        2. God knows our _______________!
    F. It is not trying to understand the _________________.
        1. Are we ready to excuse? Show __________?
        2. We often hold others to our standard—Not God’s!
            a) see Heb. 4:12; Jhn. 12:48
    G. Jesus condemns the person who pronounces ________ judgment.
        1. We are to make _______________; not send people to ________.
        2. Don’t possess the Pharisee’s attitude! Lk. 18:9-12
        3. We must condemn the _______; not the ______________! See also Lk. 9:51-56

Conclusion:
    A. What’s the cure for judging? See Phil. 4:8—meditate on _________ things.
        1. See 1 Cor. 13:4-7—put on _________! See also Micah 6:8
    B. Are you in need of salvation? Here’s your opportunity!



The Truth About Judging Introduction: In the last section of the sermon on the mount—Jesus begins to stress the need for the Christian to possess a constant awareness of God’s presence and the final judgment. This life is to be spent in preparation for the next—therefore we must get ready to meet God! What is the point behind Matthew 7:1-2? Our understanding of righteousness in the kingdom should not produce a sprit of harsh judgment within us. We need not be uncaring and self righteous so that we become more concerned with the sins of others than with our own. If the sermon is first applied rigorously at home we will find the compassion and humility to treat the sins of others. (Paul Earnhart) I. Matthew 7:1 can be easily ______________________. A. Matter often goes to extremes. Can result in compromise; tranquility; ________ at all costs. B. Or, some find themselves tempted to justify ______ by __________ others. II. What Judging is NOT: A. It is not forming or expressing an ____________ about others. 1. We must exercise judgment; ________________ - See Mt. 7:6 2. See also Mt. 7:15; 7:20—Can we do these things w/o assessment? B. It is not a condemnation of our ________ system. Officials are appointed by God! Rom. 13:4 C. It is not recognizing & exposing ___________ error & false doctrine! 1. Mt. 15:9—_________ did! Gal. 1:6-9—_______ did! See also 1 Jhn. 4:1; 2 Jhn. 9 2. There is a _________ way and a ___________ way in religion! D. It is not ____________ against sin! 1. Jesus did. 2 Tim. 3:16-4:2—_____________ to do the same! III. What kind of judging is ______________? A. It is the possession of a _____-________ spirit. 1. A feeling of ___________. An attitude of contempt! 2. 1 Pet. 5:5—look at the attitude the Christian to have! B. It is being ________________. 1. This person delights in tearing another person down! C. It is putting ____________ & prejudices above ___________. 1. Jhn. 7:24—Make sure it’s sinful behavior that is condemned! 2. Don’t let personality get in the way of being objective! D. It is forming an ____________ w/o all the _______! E. It is the judgment of ____________. 1. 1 Cor. 2:11—Impossible to know the motive behind the deed! 2. God knows our _______________! F. It is not trying to understand the _________________. 1. Are we ready to excuse? Show __________? 2. We often hold others to our standard—Not God’s! a) see Heb. 4:12; Jhn. 12:48 G. Jesus condemns the person who pronounces ________ judgment. 1. We are to make _______________; not send people to ________. 2. Don’t possess the Pharisee’s attitude! Lk. 18:9-12 3. We must condemn the _______; not the ______________! See also Lk. 9:51-56 Conclusion: A. What’s the cure for judging? See Phil. 4:8—meditate on _________ things. 1. See 1 Cor. 13:4-7—put on _________! See also Micah 6:8 B. Are you in need of salvation? Here’s your opportunity!