Matthew 7:1
The sermon emphasizes the importance of not judging others, but rather seeking to understand and love them as God loves them.
Chuck Smith explores the meaning of 'Judge not' from Matthew 7:1, emphasizing the importance of understanding this passage within its context in the Sermon on the Mount. He contrasts the attitudes of Christians and Pharisees, highlighting that Christians should seek God's approval rather than that of man. Smith outlines various ways in which judgment is forbidden, including presumptuous, hypocritical, hasty, unwarranted, unfair, and unmerciful judgments. He stresses that the spirit behind judgment should be one of love and understanding, rather than condemnation. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a self-reflective attitude that prioritizes mercy and grace over judgment.
Text
Intro: Difficult passage must be studied in its context, general and specific. Sermon on the
Mount. Describes Christian attitude of world toward him. What influence he exerts in
world. Relationship to law of God. His relationship to God, his relationship to worldly
things. There is sharp contrast between attitude of Christian and Pharisee. As
Christian, I seek to relate to God and my chief concern is His approbation, Pharisees
related to God seeking more the approbation of man God consciousness and man
consciousness.
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY "JUDGE NOT"? YOUR JUDGING BROTHER.
A. Verse 6, "Give not that which is holy unto dogs..."
B. Verse 15, "Beware of false prophets."
C. We are told to judge righteous judgment.
II. IN WHAT WAYS ARE WE FORBIDDEN TO JUDGE?
A. Should not judge presumptuously.
1. Treat rumors as facts.
2. Judging motives of others.
a. Satan concerning Job.
B. Hypocritically.
1. Finding minor flaws in others while ignoring major flaws in ourselves.
2. Romans 2:1, "Thou art inexcusable..."
3. David judging Nathan's man.
C. Hastily or rashly.
1. Best to first attain all the facts.
2. John 7:24, "Judge not according to appearance."
3. Many have been destroyed through this type of judgment.
D. Unwarrantably.
1. In some things the scriptures are silent.
2. Romans, Paul speaks about judging in meat or drink.
3. Man has established certain rules that prohibit what God has not
prohibited.
E. Judge not unfairly.
1. This often happens from prejudice.
a. I do not consider all the facts.
2. I have already formed by conclusions, thus ignore certain evidence or pass
it off.
F. Judge not unmercifully.
III. AGAIN IT IS A MATTER OF ATTITUDE OR SPIRIT.
A. What kind of spirit seeks to condemn?
1. Self righteous spirit, feeling of superiority, a better than thou.
B. Look at I Cor. 13, it is an opposite spirit to this.
1. Thinks no evil.
2. Hopes all things, believes all things.
C. The judgment forbidden is that which condemns not so much what the person has done
or said, but the person himself.
"JUDGE NOT"
Sermon Outline
- What is Meant by 'Judge Not'?
- In What Ways Are We Forbidden to Judge?
- Again It Is a Matter of Attitude or Spirit.
- Verse 6, 'Give not that which is holy unto dogs...'
- Verse 15, 'Beware of false prophets.'
- We are told to judge righteous judgment.
- Should not judge presumptuously.
- Hypocritically.
- Hastily or rashly.
- Unwarrantably.
- Judge not unfairly.
- Judge not unmercifully.
Key Quotes
“Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” — Chuck Smith
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” — Chuck Smith
“Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should avoid judging others based on appearances or superficial characteristics.
- We should seek to understand others' perspectives and circumstances before making judgments about them.
- We should strive to have a spirit of love and compassion towards others, rather than a spirit of condemnation.