Stop CriticizingStop CriticizingMathew 7: 1 to 6Mathew 7: 1 to 6

I – INTRODUCTION to the topic and contextual background

• As with the other elements of the sermon on the mount, the perspective of this passage is given in contrast to that of the Scribes and Pharisees whose hypocritical self-righteousness was in direct opposition to the true righteousness of God. Their evaluation of others like every aspect of their religious system was based on appearance, on the external and superficial. (Luke 18:11 to 14)

• The focus on this first six verses is the negative impact of self righteous, judgmental spirit and the next 6 verses focus on the positive impact of a spirit that is humble trusting and loving. These twelve verses form the divine summation of all principles of human relations.

• The passage has erroneously been used to suggest that believers should never criticize anyone for anything. Many Christians prefer to speak only of love, ecumenism, compromise and unity. The world hates absolute standards. However that is not the point of Jesus Christ here.

I – INTRODUCTION to the topic and contextual background

• The entire thrust of the sermon on the mount is to show the complete distiniction between true religion and false religion. A few verses later Jesus warns about false prophets (Mathew 7:15) and confronting a sinning brother. (Mathew 18:15 – 17). The Apostle Paul teaches a similar thing in Romans 16:17 – 18, 1 Corinthians 5:11, Galatians 1:8. Not to rebuke sin is a form of hatred not love. (Lev. 19:17)

• Jesus is not saying here we ought not to confront sin or make a sound spiritual judgment in matters of doctrines. What he is talking about here is self-righteous, egotistical judgment and the unmerciful condemnation of others practiced by the Scribes and Pharisees. He gives us three reason why such judgment is sinful

• To judge (krino) means to choose, select or determine, taken in context, Jesus is referring to the judgment of motives which no human being can know and to judgment on external forms.

II – Three reasons why you should not criticize

A.) An erroneous view of God

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” – Mathew 7:1

• Unrighteous and unmerciful judgment is forbidden because it manifest a wrong view of God. Jesus reminds the Scribes and Pharisees that they are not the final court. When we make an unrighteous judgment we are blaspheming God by taking his place. We should not try to take the place of God by judging the motives of men because we cannot see their hearts (Romans 14:4) (James 4:11-12) (John 8:3-11)

II – Three reasons why you should not criticize

B.) An erroneous view of others

“For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” – Mathew 7:2

• Just like the Pharisees, most people make unrighteous judgment because they feel they are superior to others. Jesus says that God will judge us with the same type of judgment we judge others. (Romans 2:1,2)

• In criticizing others we play God and give the impression that we ourselves are above criticism and judgment. Unrighteous judging others is a boomerang as you will be judged with the same standards you used to judge others.

II – Three reasons why you should not criticize

C.) An erroneous view of ourselves

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite.” (Mathew 7:3-5a)

• When we judge unrighteous we put ourselves in the place of God making us have a wrong view of ourselves. We become self rightous making us have a distorted view of ourselves. Self righteousness is the worst of sings because it trust in self to determine what is right or wrong. Self righteousness is contrary to the Gospel message

III– Striking the right balance

“ . . .first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” – Mathew 7:5b-6

• Jesus here gives us how to correct a wrong judgment by showing the right balance of humility and conviction by first dealing with our own sin.

• Secondly Jesus tells us to be discriminating and discerning by giving an illustration on not casting that which is holy to dogs and pigs. Truths & the blessing of our faith are not to be shared with people who are antagonistic towards God. There will be times when the truth we present is absolutely rejected & ridiculed that we make a judgment to turn away and speak no more. (2 Peter 2:1 – 3, 12, 22)