The Sermon on the Mount
Basic Christian Living #17
Judging Correctly
Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
1 Corinthians 5:9-12 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
I. Honest Self-Examination (Matthew 7:1–5)
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
II. Humble Repentance (1 Corinthians 11:31; Psalm 139:23–24)
1 Corinthians 11:31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
III. Holy Accountability (1 Corinthians 5:12)
1 Corinthians 5:12"It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning."
Galatians 6:1 "If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path."
IV. Healing Restoration (Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1)
Matthew 18:15-17
1. Go privately.
2. If necessary, take witnesses.
3. If necessary, involve the church.
V. Holy Discernment (Matthew 7:6,16; 1 Samuel 16:7)
1 Samuel 16:7 "People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Jesus said: "You can identify them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16)
VI. Holy Protection (Acts 20:28–31; Titus 3:10; 2 John 9–11)
VII. Heartfelt Compassion (John 8; Ephesians 4:15)
Practical Questions Before Correcting Someone
Ask yourself:
1. Have I examined my own heart?
2. Am I motivated by love?
3. Is this clearly sinful according to Scripture?
4. Have I gone privately?
5. Am I hoping for restoration?
6. Would I receive correction if I were wrong?
Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
1 Corinthians 5:9-12 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
I. Honest Self-Examination (Matthew 7:1–5)
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
II. Humble Repentance (1 Corinthians 11:31; Psalm 139:23–24)
1 Corinthians 11:31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
III. Holy Accountability (1 Corinthians 5:12)
1 Corinthians 5:12"It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning."
Galatians 6:1 "If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path."
IV. Healing Restoration (Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1)
Matthew 18:15-17
1. Go privately.
2. If necessary, take witnesses.
3. If necessary, involve the church.
V. Holy Discernment (Matthew 7:6,16; 1 Samuel 16:7)
1 Samuel 16:7 "People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Jesus said: "You can identify them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16)
VI. Holy Protection (Acts 20:28–31; Titus 3:10; 2 John 9–11)
VII. Heartfelt Compassion (John 8; Ephesians 4:15)
Practical Questions Before Correcting Someone
Ask yourself:
1. Have I examined my own heart?
2. Am I motivated by love?
3. Is this clearly sinful according to Scripture?
4. Have I gone privately?
5. Am I hoping for restoration?
6. Would I receive correction if I were wrong?