Matthew 7:1
"Judge not, that ye be not judged"
In Matthew 7:1-5: Christ is not telling us to avoid evaluating people or using our God given wisdom. The world is full of false Christians and even ministers of Satan. As never before, Christians must be alert and must "try the spirits." What Christ is condemning is harsh judgement and unjust criticism of men's motives. Note that He uses the symbol of the eye. In 6:22-23, Christ defined "the eye" as the spiritual outlook of a person, that which motivates his life. Every believer has the obligation to test men by their fruits but no Christian should ever judge a man's motives. Romans 14 and I Cor. 4:5.
This command of Christ does not prohibit church discipline. He tells us to face disobedient Christians honestly, examine the evidence, and deal with sin decisively. The Christian who says that Church discipline is not Scriptural should read II Thess. 3:11-15.
Christ gives us the right to help others "After" we have straightened out our own lives. He did not say that it was wrong for you to help your brother get rid of the sin in his life; but He did say that first you should take care of your own sin. In other words, we should be as severe with others as we are with ourselves. Christ points out two dangers in the life of the Christian who judges others: (1) That judgement will come back to him. (2) He becomes blind to his own needs and eventually needs help himself.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
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