Matthew 7:1-5

 Jesus instructs us in the truth about judging.

 To "judge" is to - criticize, try, condemn, punish, declare guilty or unfit.  Yikes!  This is a very personal, very hard thing for us sometimes... The all- American pastime these days seems to be to criticize.. and we all fall into that sin more easily than we like to think.

Jesus tells us that when we judge others, we need to know that we will be judged our own selves.
Whatever measure we used is the same measure that will be used for us.  He tells us that we need to recognize our own problems with sin and deal with those appropriately, before we have any ability to help our brother. And then we are not called to be the judge - we are called to be the one who helps. 

There is only One who is appointed Judge.
Acts 10: 42-43 "And He ordered us to preach to the people and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.  Of Him all the prophets bear witness the through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." 

Jesus said, " You people judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But, even if I do judge, My judgement is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and He who sent Me." ( John 8:15)  He also said, "And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.  For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say and what to speak." ( John 12:47-49)

Paul wrote this, " But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of God.... So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brothers way." ( Romans 14:10-13)  Paul also had much to say to the church in Corinth about passing judgement on one another.  In chapter 4 of I Corinthians he speaks of the fact that he doesn't even find himself adequate to judge himself, let alone others, " but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgement before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." ( v4-5)

One more thought on this important subject comes from James 2:12-13 "So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement." 

Jesus tells us not to take His job as judge, but ,we are supposed to have discernment.  All the more reason that we need to pray.. for His forgiveness and for the mercy to forgive others,  and for Him to rescue us from the temptation to be crictical and judgmental,  and for deliverance from the evil one who wants us to be deceived about this whole subject.

Father in heaven, seated on the throne of heaven in all majesty and glory, we worship You, our God and King.  We ask for Your Kingdom to come with all power and righteousness and that Your good and perfect will be done here in us.  Help us to hear Your Word and then do what You are telling us..
Strengthen us in the power of Your Spirit to live as Your servants.. merciful to others as we have been shown Your great mercy.  We bow before You and surrender once again.  Lead us in Your narrow way Jesus, to the glory of the Father, Amen.