HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING

Matthew 7:1-5

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We live in a society where in the judging of other people constantly transpiring.

 

B.   We also live in a society in which people will affirm:  “It is wrong to judge others.”

 

C.   It has always interested this writer that those who condemn judging enjoy judging those they believe to be judging.

 

D.   One of the passages people often quoted to condemn judging in Matthew 7:1.

1.    When the passage is stated only the first two words are used:  “Judge not…”

2.    There are five more words in the first verse.

3.    Too, there are four other verses that should be considered in the context.

 

E.   Our Lord does not condemn all judging.  He condemns “Hypocritical Judging.”  Let’s investigate Matthew 7:1-5 in a little more detail.

 

I.             A CONDITION (Matt. 7:1)

 

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

 

A.   Jesus does not say:  “Do not judge.”

1.    Those who use this verse to teach that it is wrong to judge abuse the text.

a. They do not quote the entire verse.

b. They do not keep the verse in its context.

c. They do not read the last words found in verse 5:  “…then shalt thou see

    clearly to cast out the mote out of they brother’s eye.”

 

B.   He says that if you do not want to be judged, then you do not need to judge.

1.    Nobody likes to be judged.

2.    Jesus provides one way for us to be judged less. 

3.    If we do not judge, we will not be judged.

 

C.   NOTE:  The benefit of not being judged is something that all deserve.  However, refraining from judging others is extremely difficult for most individuals to do.

1.    We don’t like a person’s looks.  So, we judge them.

2.    We don’t like a person’s personality.  So, we judge them.

3.    We don’t like the way a person talks.  So, we judge them.

4.    We don’t like the way a person does something.  So, we judge them.

5.    We don’t like a person’s opinions.  So, we judge them.

 

II.           A CONSEQUENCE (Matt. 7:2)

 

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:  and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

 

A.   When we judge others, the same standard by which we judge them will be applied to us.  “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.”

 

B.   An old proverb states:  “What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

 

C.   NOTE:  There is not one standard for others and a completely different standard for me.  The standard we apply to others should be the same standard by which we live.

 

D.   Think about that.  I will be judged by my very own standard. 

1.    I don’t like another person’s looks.  What about my looks.

2.    I don’t the way another person talks.  What about the way I talk?

3.    I don’t like a person’s mannerisms.  What about my mannerisms?

4.    I don’t like another person’s personality.  What about my personality?

 

III.          A CONTRAST (Matt. 7:3-4)

 

A.   An Examination and An Exclusion (Matt. 7:3)

 

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye.

 

1.    The “examination” happens when we see all of the minor flaws and problems in other people.  We can detect them a mile away.

a. We wiggle.

b. We laugh.

c. We get agitated.

d. We comment under our breath.

e. We roll our eyes.

f. We wish they were gone.

2.    The “exclusion,” however, involves ourselves.  We have major issues, flaws, and sins, but we act as if we are better than our brother who only has a small mote in his eye.

a. Sin in one’s life

b. Failing to use one’s talents

c. Forsaking the worship services

d. Negligent in prayer or Bible study

e. Not involved in spreading the gospel

 

B.   An Elimination and An Exception (Matt. 7:4)

 

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold a beam is in thine own eye?

 

1.    Many are quick to try to eliminate the specks of dirt found in their brother’s eye.

a.  They confront them about the speck.

b.  They give them suggestions about the speck.

c.  They talk to others about their brother’s speck.

2.    But when it comes to the beam that is in their own eye, they make an exception. 

a.  Their beam, even though it is hideous, will never be the subject of

     conversation.

b.  They certainly will never attempt to remove it.

c.  They often seek to rationalize and justify their beams.

d.  If someone seeks to remove their beam, they will be first to cry out:  “It is

     wrong to judge.”

 

C.   Examples

1.    The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day (Matt. 23:23-24)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:  these ye ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

 

2.    The Jews of Paul’s day (Rom. 2:1)

 

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:  for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

 

IV.         A COMMAND (Matt. 7:5)

 

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye:  and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

                  

A.   Jesus identifies this individual as a hypocrite.

1.    He wants others out of sin, but he remains therein.

2.    He wants others to better themselves, but he can remain as he is.

3.    He wants others to work and toil, but he can continue to be lazy.

4.    He wants others to be knowledgeable, but he continues in ignorance.

5.    In his efforts to “fix” others, he tries to manifest himself to be something he is not.

 

B.   The command of Jesus is that the hypocritical judge should “first cast out the beam out of thine own eye.”

1.    Each person needs to clean up around his own doorstep first.

2.    We need to do personal evaluations of our lives and make the corrections needed before we try to go around fixing others.

3.    2 Corinthians 13:5

 

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.  Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

C.   Notice the last statement Jesus makes:  “…and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

1.    There are times when we need to be involved in the lives of our brethren.

a. Galatians 6:1

 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

 

b. James 5:19-20

 

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

2.    However, this should not be done until we make certain we are not practicing the same sins and are not engaging in the same errors that we are trying to correct in others.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   All judging has never been condemned by the Christ (See John 7:24).

 

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

 

B.   Jesus, however, does condemn hypocritical judging. 

 

C.   We must always keep in mind that when we judge another person the exact standard of judgment by which we judge will be applied to us as well.

 

D.   Question:  Will your own life bear that type of scrutiny?