Body
DON'T JUDGE. How many times have you heard or read of someone essentially quoting what Jesus said in Matthew 7:1, 'Judge not, that you be not judged.' They might not know where it's found in the Bible. And they often don't realize that it was Jesus who said it. But they are quick to make the comeback to someone who 'judges' someone else. So, what did Jesus mean? The context makes it clear. Basically Jesus was telling His disciples to make sure their own lives were squared away with God before being concerned about 'the speck' or minor sin problem in someone else's life. He essentially said, 'Remove the telephone poll from your eye before trying to remove the little splinter from the eye of another.' In the same chapter, Jesus also warned His disciples, saying, 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.' IOW, Jesus told His disciples that they must judge others. Implied in the context is that we must be able to discern the false teaching of false teachers by comparing their lives to God's Word. We judge the fruit of their lives comparing it to Biblical truth. God exhorted Christians through Peter in 2 Peter 2:1-2, 'But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.' If someone claims to be a Christian, but their life doesn't match up with God's Word, then there is reason to be concerned about them, about their teaching, about their eternity, and also about the influence they could have on others. In John 7:24, Jesus said, 'Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.' The imperative is knowing God's Word!