Matthew 7, Part One

Proper judgment (vs. 1-12)—This has been one of the most abused passages in Scripture—“Judge not that ye be not judged,” which supposedly means that we aren’t to ever condemn anybody’s action at any time. Usually, when somebody quotes that verse with such an intent, they are trying to throw up a smokescreen to protect their sinful actions from someone who probably knows the truth and is trying to help them. Improper judgment is certainly condemned. But Jesus says in John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Judgments are made all through the Scriptures by righteous people. Indeed, if we didn’t make these judgments, we wouldn’t very well know how to help people out of their sinful condition.

What Jesus censures here is hypocritical, unmerciful judgment. We all sin, and should keep that in mind when trying to correct others and lead them onto a proper path. “Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?…Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” (vs. 3, 5). Jesus doesn’t deny that the speck is in our brother’s eye. But certainly one with a board in his own is unqualified and hypocritical in his purpose to remove that speck.

V. 2 is sobering: “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” We will determine ourselves the severity by which others judge us—and even God. If we aren’t fair and merciful to others, then don’t expect God—or others—to be fair and merciful to us.

Hypocritical, unmerciful judgment is what Jesus denounces here.

But a major mistake that is made with this section on judgment is believing it ends in verse 5. It doesn’t. It goes all the way to verse 12, and let me show you how.

With this condemnation of unmerciful, hypocritical judgment ringing in their ears—I mean, how many of us don’t need mercy?—Jesus’ disciples were liable to go to the extreme of concluding, “Well, if such is the case, then we will never judge at all.” But Jesus corrects that in verse 6: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” In other words, don’t waste your time with obstinate, obdurate, unconvertible people. The harvest is plenteous; there are a lot of souls out there that need saving, and if we spend all our time trying to bring one sinner to Christ whose “wounds are incurable” (Micah 1:9), and who is “past feeling” (Ephesians 4:19), then we will not be effectively doing the work of the Lord. Don’t waste your time with “dogs” and “swine.” It is a command of Christ! And a further, more crucial and challenging point: it is up to us to determine WHO the “dogs” and “swine” are! In other words, we have to decide when to move on and give up on someone who, from all appearances, isn't interested in the gospel.

Now, folks, that’s not easy—to, in effect, pass eternal judgment on people by determining they are no longer worthy of our attempts to teach them the gospel. It’s not only not easy, it’s a bit frightening and awe-inspiring. But remember, Jesus commands us to do it! We don’t have an option here because we are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15), and we can’t very well do that if we spend all our time trying to convert one person. But to make this kind of decision…to determine when a soul must be abandoned…that is not a decision to be left up to spiritual babes or shallow, vapid Christians. Thus, it is why, in verses 7-11, Jesus talks about prayer again.

In this sermon, the Lord has already discussed prayer (6:5-15). Why bring it up again? Because, if we are going to obey Matthew 7:6, we’re going to need all the help we can get. We don’t want to make eternal judgments on people without the assistance of our heavenly Father. So ask…seek…knock, and the force of the language is to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Continue to petition Jehovah for the spiritual wisdom to serve Him effectively and make proper decisions. Again, Matthew 7:6 is not for the spiritually shallow. We need a deep, fervent relationship with God in order to effectively do what He commands us to do in verse 6, and in every other situation we may find ourselves in as His people. Superficial Christians do more harm to the body of Christ than all the atheists in the world.

Jesus then brings us full circle to proper judgment in verse 12: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Notice the “therefore” at the beginning of the verse; that tells us that verse 12 follows and sums up what has just been said. How do you want people to judge you? Well, we want mercy, but we should also want people to be fair in their judgment. If I’m doing something contrary to God’s will, I should want to know it. “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (Proverbs 9:8). But I also want to be judged by those who have a deep, personal relationship with God, not some shallow, thin Christian whose religion barely rises above self-righteousness. Proper judgment is necessary. But it takes great wisdom and spiritual perception, something that can only come from a deep, deep personal bond with God. And we need a lot of prayer and Bible study to reach that level of spiritual maturity.

And people who shout “Judge not that ye be not judged” at the first sign of heat do NOT have that kind of bond with God.