WE SHALL OVERCOME!WE SHALL OVERCOME!

Part V

Overcoming Harsh Judgments & Faultfinding

Part V

Overcoming Harsh Judgments & Faultfinding

Matt. 7:1-2Matt. 7:1-2

I. Introduction:I. Introduction:

A. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For

with what judgment you judge you shall be judged” (Matt. 7:1-

2).

A. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For

with what judgment you judge you shall be judged” (Matt. 7:1-

2).B. “Do no speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of

a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and

judges the law. But if you judge the law,

you are not a doer of the law but a

judge” (Jas. 4:11).

B. “Do no speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of

a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and

judges the law. But if you judge the law,

you are not a doer of the law but a

judge” (Jas. 4:11).

II. What Is Judging?II. What Is Judging?

A. Sometimes forbidden (Matt. 7:1; Jas. 4:11-12).A. Sometimes forbidden (Matt. 7:1; Jas. 4:11-12).

B. Sometimes encouraged (Jn. 7:24; Lk. 12:57; I Cor. 5:12-13).B. Sometimes encouraged (Jn. 7:24; Lk. 12:57; I Cor. 5:12-13).

C. It is used in multiple ways in the

New Testament.

C. It is used in multiple ways in the

New Testament.D. This lesson concerns itself with the kind of judging that the Lord would forbid and that we would want to overcome.

D. This lesson concerns itself with the kind of judging that the Lord would forbid and that we would want to overcome.

1. What is the kind of judging that Jesus does not forbid?1. What is the kind of judging that Jesus does not forbid?

a. Judgment of civil courts (Rom. 13:1-7).

a. Judgment of civil courts (Rom. 13:1-7).

b. The judgment of the church upon disorderly members (I Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6).

b. The judgment of the church upon disorderly members (I Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6).

c. The individual judgments we must make of wrongdoers and evil people (Matt. 7:1-6; 7:15-20; 3 Jn. 9; Titus 3:10-11).

c. The individual judgments we must make of wrongdoers and evil people (Matt. 7:1-6; 7:15-20; 3 Jn. 9; Titus 3:10-11).

d. Recognize and disapprove the faults of others (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20).

d. Recognize and disapprove the faults of others (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20).

f. Identifying of false teachers (I Jn. 4:1; Jude; I Thess. 5:21).

f. Identifying of false teachers (I Jn. 4:1; Jude; I Thess. 5:21).

e. Decisive preaching that draws the line between truth and error, the lost and the saved (2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2 Pet. 2:1ff).

e. Decisive preaching that draws the line between truth and error, the lost and the saved (2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2 Pet. 2:1ff).

2. What is the kind of judging Jesus forbids?2. What is the kind of judging Jesus forbids?

a. “All judging from surmise, or from insufficient premises, or from ill-will is prohibited” (McGarvey).

a. “All judging from surmise, or from insufficient premises, or from ill-will is prohibited” (McGarvey).

b. “The habit” of censoriousness, sharp, unjust criticism. Our word ‘critic’ is from this very word” (Robertson).

b. “The habit” of censoriousness, sharp, unjust criticism. Our word ‘critic’ is from this very word” (Robertson).

c. “Judging forbidden by the Lord is harsh, hasty, unfounded, censorious, hypercritical uncharitable, malicious, slanderous, ill-natured judg- ment” (Winkler).

c. “Judging forbidden by the Lord is harsh, hasty, unfounded, censorious, hypercritical uncharitable, malicious, slanderous, ill-natured judg- ment” (Winkler).

III. What Causes Judging And Mote- Hunting?III. What Causes Judging And Mote- Hunting?

A. An effort to divert attention from one’s own sins.A. An effort to divert attention from one’s own sins.

1. Judas accused Mary of wasteful- ness, when she expressed concern and gave attention to the poor, while he was stealing from the bag (Jn. 12:5-6).

1. Judas accused Mary of wasteful- ness, when she expressed concern and gave attention to the poor, while he was stealing from the bag (Jn. 12:5-6).

B. An effort to justify one’s own sinful life and console a biting conscience (2 Cor. 10:12).

B. An effort to justify one’s own sinful life and console a biting conscience (2 Cor. 10:12).

1. We judge in others of that which we ourselves are guilty (Rom. 2:1).1. We judge in others of that which we ourselves are guilty (Rom. 2:1).

WE SHALL OVERCOME!WE SHALL OVERCOME!

Part V (continued)

Overcoming Harsh Judgments & Faultfinding

Part V (continued)

Overcoming Harsh Judgments & Faultfinding

Lk.18:9-14Lk.18:9-14

2. Usually, the ones who complain are the most unfriendly, spiritually indolent, and indifferent.

2. Usually, the ones who complain are the most unfriendly, spiritually indolent, and indifferent.

C. An intent to build up oneself while tearing down another. C. An intent to build up oneself while tearing down another.

1. Originates from an inferiority

complex…feeling and thinking

you are adequate helps make one

be adequate (again, Prov. 23:7).

1. Originates from an inferiority

complex…feeling and thinking

you are adequate helps make one

be adequate (again, Prov. 23:7).

2. Such was the case with the Pharisees (Lk. 18:9-14).2. Such was the case with the Pharisees (Lk. 18:9-14).

IV. The Harsh Judge And Mote Hunter Is

worse Than His Victim.

IV. The Harsh Judge And Mote Hunter Is

worse Than His Victim.

D. Envy and HatredD. Envy and Hatred

1. Envy seeks to get rid of its victim.1. Envy seeks to get rid of its victim.

2. Saul sought David.2. Saul sought David.

3. Haman built gallows for Mordecai.3. Haman built gallows for Mordecai.

4. Jews sought and killed Jesus.4. Jews sought and killed Jesus.

A. The critic or censorious judge has a “beam” in his own eye, whereas his victim has a “mote” (Matt. 7:3).

A. The critic or censorious judge has a “beam” in his own eye, whereas his victim has a “mote” (Matt. 7:3).

B. The censorious judge is called a hypocrite (Matt. 7:5).B. The censorious judge is called a hypocrite (Matt. 7:5).

V. Why Is It So Unjust To Judge Others?V. Why Is It So Unjust To Judge Others?

A. We never fully know the circum- stances of others, nor all the facts in the case.

A. We never fully know the circum- stances of others, nor all the facts in the case.

B. It is next to impossible to be impartial in our judgments.

B. It is next to impossible to be impartial in our judgments.

C. Not everything we condemn in others is actually sin.C. Not everything we condemn in others is actually sin.

1. Hannah was accused of being drunken, but she was not (I Sam. 1:12ff).

1. Hannah was accused of being drunken, but she was not (I Sam. 1:12ff).

2. Jesus was accused of blasphemy, but He was not guilty (Mk. 2:7).2. Jesus was accused of blasphemy, but He was not guilty (Mk. 2:7).

D. The right to judge is not ours, but the Lord’s (I Cor. 4:3-5; Rom. 14:4, 10-13; Jas. 4:11-12).

D. The right to judge is not ours, but the Lord’s (I Cor. 4:3-5; Rom. 14:4, 10-13; Jas. 4:11-12).

1. Judgment is an infringement on an exclusive right of God!1. Judgment is an infringement on an exclusive right of God!

2. The law of Christ prohibits us from judging.2. The law of Christ prohibits us from judging.

3. If not careful, we become judges of the law and not doers (Jas. 4: 11-12).

3. If not careful, we become judges of the law and not doers (Jas. 4: 11-12).

E. We see only the outward man, not the inward man.E. We see only the outward man, not the inward man.

1. What we see of the iceberg does not constitute the entire iceberg… hence we say, “That is only the tip of the iceberg.”

1. What we see of the iceberg does not constitute the entire iceberg… hence we say, “That is only the tip of the iceberg.”

2. What we see in an individual may not fully and fairly represent the total person.

2. What we see in an individual may not fully and fairly represent the total person.

3. God told Samuel to not reject David as king by his countenance for:

3. God told Samuel to not reject David as king by his countenance for:

“The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the

outward appearance, but the Lord

looks at the heart” ( I Sam. 16:7).

“The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the

outward appearance, but the Lord

looks at the heart” ( I Sam. 16:7).

WE SHALL OVERCOME!WE SHALL OVERCOME!

Part V (continued)

Overcoming Harsh Judgments & Faultfinding

Part V (continued)

Overcoming Harsh Judgments & Faultfinding

Acts 9:26-31Acts 9:26-31

V. The Remedy For JudgingV. The Remedy For Judging

A. LoveA. Love

1. “Always slow to expose, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful, always patient (I Cor. 13:7).

1. “Always slow to expose, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful, always patient (I Cor. 13:7).

2. Love covers a multitude of sins (I Pet. 4:8).2. Love covers a multitude of sins (I Pet. 4:8).

B. Consider how despicable it is.B. Consider how despicable it is.

1. He anxiously looks for fault and is a “picker.”1. He anxiously looks for fault and is a “picker.”

2. The judge is moved by improper motives (Jn. 12:4-6).2. The judge is moved by improper motives (Jn. 12:4-6).

C. Practice the golden rule (Mt. 7:12).C. Practice the golden rule (Mt. 7:12).

D. Conduct a self-examination (I Cor. 11:28; II Cor. 13:5).D. Conduct a self-examination (I Cor. 11:28; II Cor. 13:5).

“There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the

best of us, that it little behooves any of us to talk about the rest of

us.”

“There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the

best of us, that it little behooves any of us to talk about the rest of

us.”

1. Count ten of our own faults before counting others.1. Count ten of our own faults before counting others.

E. Look for the good in others.E. Look for the good in others.

1. God saw a faithful servant in Saul of Tarsus before his conversion

(I Tim. 1:13; Acts 9:15; Acts 22:16).

1. God saw a faithful servant in Saul of Tarsus before his conversion

(I Tim. 1:13; Acts 9:15; Acts 22:16).

2. We need to be like the bee, concentrating on the sweet and beautiful, rather than like the buzzard who concentrates on the dead and the foul.

2. We need to be like the bee, concentrating on the sweet and beautiful, rather than like the buzzard who concentrates on the dead and the foul.

3. Work on being like Barnabas, seeing good in others (Acts 9:26-31; 15:36-41).

3. Work on being like Barnabas, seeing good in others (Acts 9:26-31; 15:36-41).

F. Ask God for help in

overcoming this sin.

F. Ask God for help in

overcoming this sin.1. The Lord’s state-

ment, “Ask, and it shall be given you” immediately follows His teaching on judging (Matt. 7:7).

1. The Lord’s state- ment, “Ask, and it shall be given you” immediately follows His teaching on judging (Matt. 7:7).

2. We sometimes become our own

enemy.

2. We sometimes become our own

enemy.

G. Consider how much hurt you inflict into the heart of your victim.G. Consider how much hurt you inflict into the heart of your victim.

H. Consider the fact that the victim is your brother (Matt. 7:3, 5; Jas. 4:11- 12).

H. Consider the fact that the victim is your brother (Matt. 7:3, 5; Jas. 4:11- 12).

1. Judging is contrary to the spirit of brotherhood.1. Judging is contrary to the spirit of brotherhood.

2. Being of the same family and hav- ing the same Father, should have some bearing upon our behavior.

2. Being of the same family and hav- ing the same Father, should have some bearing upon our behavior.

I. Put yourself in the other person’s

shoes.

I. Put yourself in the other person’s

shoes.1. Ezekiel sat where his people sat for seven days before

warning the people.

1. Ezekiel sat where his people sat for seven days before

warning the people.

2. Walk in the other person’s shoes before judging the course of his steps.

2. Walk in the other person’s shoes before judging the course of his steps.

J. Remember that our judgments are often so wrong (I Sam. 16:6-13).J. Remember that our judgments are often so wrong (I Sam. 16:6-13).

1. Eliab misjudged the motives of David (I Sam. 17:28-29).1. Eliab misjudged the motives of David (I Sam. 17:28-29).

2. Lysias misjudged Paul (Acts 21: 37-38).2. Lysias misjudged Paul (Acts 21: 37-38).

3. Nathaniel was wrong in his judgment about any good thing coming out of Nazareth.

3. Nathaniel was wrong in his judgment about any good thing coming out of Nazareth.

K. Consider what judging will do to you.K. Consider what judging will do to you.

1. It will blind you to your faults (Matt. 7:1-6; Lk. 18:9-14).1. It will blind you to your faults (Matt. 7:1-6; Lk. 18:9-14).

2. It makes repentance and confession impossible (Acts 8:22; I Jn. 1:8-10).2. It makes repentance and confession impossible (Acts 8:22; I Jn. 1:8-10).

3. The beauty and virtues of others can not be seen by you for your eyes are blinded to such.

3. The beauty and virtues of others can not be seen by you for your eyes are blinded to such.

4. It will rob you of happiness.4. It will rob you of happiness.

VI. The Judgment That Will Come To The Harsh Judge And Censorious Critic.VI. The Judgment That Will Come To The Harsh Judge And Censorious Critic.

A. We will be judged with the same judgment we render (Matt. 7:2).A. We will be judged with the same judgment we render (Matt. 7:2).

1. One of God’s laws is that we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-8; Matt. 5:7).1. One of God’s laws is that we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-8; Matt. 5:7).

2. The mud thrower will get plastered.2. The mud thrower will get plastered.

3. Life is an echo.3. Life is an echo.

B. We will also receive judgment from God (Jas. 2:12-13).B. We will also receive judgment from God (Jas. 2:12-13).

1. We must give an account in the day of judgment for every idle, judgmental word and statement we have made (Matt. 12:36-37).

1. We must give an account in the day of judgment for every idle, judgmental word and statement we have made (Matt. 12:36-37).

VII. Key TextsVII. Key Texts

A. The Lord’s classic text on judging and mote hunting (Matt. 7:3-5).

A. The Lord’s classic text on judging and mote hunting (Matt. 7:3-5).

B. If we judge our brother we judge the law; however, we are to be doers of the law not judges (Jas. 4:11-12).

B. If we judge our brother we judge the law; however, we are to be doers of the law not judges (Jas. 4:11-12).

C. We are not to judge according to appearance, but we are to judge righteous judgment (Jn. 7:24).

C. We are not to judge according to appearance, but we are to judge righteous judgment (Jn. 7:24).