Scripture Reading: John 7:14-24
Judge with Righteous Judgment
(Part 1)
Intro.
1. The most often repeated rebuttal to exposing sin with the Bible is “Judge not, that you be not judged!”
2. Misunderstands the nature of judging (krino):
a. “To separate, select, choose”; hence, “to determine,” and so “to judge, pronounce judgment” (Vine, 336).
b. To decide, give a verdict, declare an opinion” (ISBE, III:1777).
3. Matthew 7:1 does not forbid all types of judgments. If it does, then Jesus contradicted Himself in John 7:24.
4. There are some judgments condemned by God, and there are some judgments God calls on us to make. We have to able to discern the difference so we will judge righteous judgment.
I. JUDGMENTS WE MUST CEASE (because God condemns them).
A. Hypocritical Judging of Others, Matt. 7:1-5.
1. Harsh, bitter, faultfinding spirit, which points out others’ sins while committing the same sins, cf. Rom. 2:1-2, 21-22.
2. Self-exalting and self-condemning, 7:2 (measured back to you, cf. Lk. 6:38). Example: Lk. 18:9-12, 14
B. Judging by Appearance, Jno. 7:24.
1. Surface judgments; Subjective, not based on objective facts.
a. Context: Jno. 7:19-24: When the day of circumcision (8th day of life, Lev. 12:3) fell of the Sabbath it appeared to break it, but in fact, it did not.
b. Same true of Jesus when He healed on Sabbath (Matt. 12:7).
2. Judging on basis of the flesh (worldly standards), Jno. 8:15.
3. Since God looks at the heart, we must be careful: What appears to be one thing may in fact be something else, 1 Sam. 16:6-7.
4. Simon judged appearances rather than fact, Lk. 7:43 (36-50).
C. Rash Judgments, Prov. 18:13 (15:28).
1. Paul was a victim of rash rush to judgment, Acts 21:27-29.
2. Premature judgments forbidden, 1 Cor. 4:5. “…secret things, of which it is impossible that those who do not know the hearts of men should make up a judgment, do not judge of them before the time, when God will certainly come to judge all men.” (Poole, Online Bible)
3. Judging motives of the heart is forbidden!
D. The Critical Condemnation of Others’ Liberties, Rom. 14:3-4, 10, 13.
1. We must be able to allow others to exercise their conscience in areas of authorized liberties without condemning them.
2. This is not saying, “do not judge what is sinful”; It is saying do not criticize each other when liberties are used differently.
3. A matter of not meddling in the matters of others, 1 Pet. 4:16.
E. Speaking Evil of Others, Jas. 4:11-12 (Eph. 4:29-32).
Conclusion
1. If you are making unrighteous judgments, repent. Why?
2. Because “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged...” Matt. 7:2
3. Part 2: Judgments we must make (because they are righteous).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: December 29, 2014