Judge And Discern Matthew 7:1-7

1. Judge And Discern Matthew 7:1-7 Rev. Dr. Stephen Tee

2. Introduction • This passage is most: • confusing • misunderstood Among believers and even ministers • Believers and Minister believed that • Jesus prohibit them to judge. • If that is the case, then Jesus is • contradicting Himself. • For in verses 6, 15-20 Jesus distinctly • commands Not suggests to: • discern • beware • know

3. Confusion arise from the English word “judge” • Word “judge” is both a “noun and verb” • Most believers who read this assumes it is • a noun and not a verb. • Judge – noun ‘one who judges as: • a public official authorized to decide • questions brought before a court. • one who gives an authoritative opinion Jesus is teaching that if we act as a judge we will also be judge accordingly. So judge oneself first before judging others

4. Studying the Greek provide a clearer meaning. Greek is the verb and not the noun: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises “Krino” related to English > critic, criticize) primarily signifies to: 1. distinguish, 2. choose, 3. separate 4. or discriminate; • Meaning to distinguish between • good and evil, • right and wrong, It means to: sift out and analyze evidence.

5. Judge not is: • command or imperative voice • present tense 3. active mood What Jesus is addressing is the spirit and/or motivation of one's judgment. The OT prophets were often very judgmental toward Israel, but the difference is that they were speaking God's words to His rebellious chosen people! "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.“ Jn 7:24

6. Jesus teaches that we are not to judge: • according to outward appearance • according to our own opinion • other people’s motive only God knows God’s Word is the basis of all judgment • Believers are permitted to judge: • doctrine, • teaching, • lifestyle, • character. NOT Motives • If believers are not to judge then, we can: • preach heresy • live immorally

7. Verse 2, Jesus teaches we must be prepared to be judge by others if we judge others. • For example: • If we are a teacher, then we must be • prepared to be judge for what we teach. • 2. If we write a book, then we must be • prepared for others to be evaluated. • 3. If we are God’s servant, people possess • the right to judge our lifestyle. • If we are not prepared to be judged then • we should not: • teach, • preach • write a book

8. Verses 3-4, Jesus teaches that we must first evaluate ourselves before we judge others. If not then we will be branded as hypocrite. This does not mean that we are not to judge. • Verse 6 – Jesus commands believers to: • judge • discern • differentiate Who are the dogs and pigs. Jesus called some people Dogs and Swine. Is Jesus not judging? These are strong and unkind words.

9. Dogs “Kuon” – wild mongrels. • dirty • vicious • dangerous • diseased Another word for dogs is kunaria meaning little puppy or little dog. Jesus encountered some people who behaves just like dogs. • Swine - choiros (khoy-'ros) meaning: • pigs • sow • hog • unclean • vicious • greedy • stupidity • lazy • selfish Here Jesus refers to people – who does not treasure or value certain truths and blessings of God.