Making Righteousness Personal (Matthew 7:1-6)

In our study of the “Sermon on the Mount”, we now come to a very familiar Bible verse—well-known even to unbelievers—but usually quoted out of context.  It is misunderstood and misused by both Christians and non-Christians alike.  “Judge not!” has been used to shut down even the most cursory observations of negative behavior.  But, Jesus did not teach that we cannot speak out against sin and evil.  This is precisely what God called His prophets to do.  Of course, even those who quote this verse out of context will still insist that there is evil in the world—namely those who judge their actions!  So, what they mean is that you cannot condemn their sin – just the sin that is out there in the world!

Hypocritical Judging

So, what does Jesus mean when He says, “Judge not?” That phrase is only half the conversation!  Actually, Jesus is saying that we should not be doing hypocritical judging. 

Look at the next lines.  Apply the truth you are concerned with in someone else to yourself first (by removing the log or plank in your own eye).  Condemn the way this sin is in your own life. When you have experienced a measure of victory in this area then you have some ground to stand upon—some humility based on experience that will be able to help and encourage rather than to condemn and destroy another.  Psychologists tell us that it is common to see our own sin in others before we see it in ourselves.  They call it projection.  Often when the Spirit points out sin in our lives we tend to rationalize what we do and “apply” the Spirit’s words by condemning it in another.  Jesus condemns hypocrisy more than anything else and notice that it is the biggest complaint mentioned by the world—more than anything else—as a barrier to their own spiritual progress.

Condemnatory Judging

After we have applied the truth to our own life, we can share it with others.  In this context, the word means judging—not condemning—as we are so easily led to do; this refers to pointing out a spiritual fault.  We are free to do this AFTER we have examined ourselves.  Now be careful.  How does the Spirit of God convict you and me of sin?  With condemnation?  (Not according to Romans 8:1).  If we have other related issues (besides the fault under examination) in our lives that we know need to be dealt with, we probably are not ready to be presenting ourselves as representatives of a holy God.  Not perfection, but in a constant state of openness to the judgment of the Spirit in our own life.  Why should we pause?  Because God wants our heart fully.  His Spirit will use you once you put on your breastplate of righteousness.

So, Jesus is actually telling us to prepare ourselves to encourage others with the truth of the righteousness that God requires—instead of beating them over the head with it!  In humility, show your brother or sister how this action does not measure up to God’s standard and how they can be transformed—not just how they are wrong.

Premature Judging
Who are these others we may confront?  Jesus says to be careful taking your precious truths about sin and righteousness that you have delved into and now desire to encourage others with them.  There are people out there that are not ready for them.  Jesus calls them pigs and dogs! 

Pigs were not kosher so Jesus is likely speaking of pagan Gentiles in a generalized sense.  To His Jewish audience, Gentiles were ungodly pagans—the unreached of the world.  They did not even know God.  In our context, we would call them unbelievers—people that don’t know Jesus personally.  When we speak to unbelievers, our witness should be about Jesus, not about others’ personal failings so much.  If they are not ready, telling them about personal victory over sin is like tossing a handful of expensive jewelry into the pig trough!  The gospel they actually need is not about cleaning up their lives!  That would be like discipling an unbeliever!  Yes, they need to hear that they are sinners but this is probably not the place to bring up quitting certain habits.  No one is saved by quitting anything.  That kind of approach could unneccesarily entangle you in a conversation about relative goodness and come across as unnecessary condemnation.  Yes, we all stand condemned before a holy God, but not because you are shacked up and I am not.  They need to hear that we all fall short of God’s glorious perfection (Romans 3:23).  The right approach comes across as one who has been rescued and is offering to help another find salvation.

Dog was a code word for sinners in general—although it was sometimes synonymous with the ‘gentile.’  It was sometimes used to denote homosexuals in Greek culture, but Jesus’ Jewish audience would be thinking of those who compromised with regard to the Law—like “tax collectors and sinners.”  In our culture, we might think of people who may profess a belief in God but are apparently unconcerned with God’s standards.  Be careful of what such people are really ready to hear.  Jesus says they might turn on you!  Not every professing church goer is ready to hear every wonderful truth you have uncovered.  Paul says even some believers aren’t ready for “meat” but can only handle “milk.”  The right approach here is to beware of premature judging.  Find out what their relationship to the Lord is like.  Do they accept His authority?  If they do not, they may not even be ready for the gospel.

The “pearls” of truth prematurely tossed around in this immediate context probably include things appropriate for a “discipleship” context but not a “witnessing” context.

 Here are some pearls Jesus had been discussing in His sermon that the Pharisees were NOT ready to hear.

1)      Jesus has discussed the need for a change to an eternal perspective

2)      Jesus has discussed the need for heart attitude not just external behavior

3)      Jesus has proclaimed the need for trust (faith) in God’s supply of His children’s needs.

4)      Jesus has taught them to believe in God’s goodness when some might question its value.

Eventually, these hearers would turn on Him and crucify Him.

Constructive Judging

In the context of Jesus’ whole sermon, we are wanting to encourage others in personal righteousness, but some people are just not ready to hear about entering the Kingdom of heaven until they actually have Christ the King in their life.  So, we must beware of these three wrong kinds of judging:  hypocritical judging, condemnatory judging, and premature judging.  But we don’t ignore sin altogether!  What we ARE tasked with is constructive judging to effect transformation and restoration.  “Let me help you with that speck in your eye.”

© 2018 Eric Thimell