Judge Not?

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

This verse, apart from John 3:16, may be the most recognized and certainly the most quoted verse by those who have little concern for God or the things of God. Matthew 7:1 also happens to be one of the most misinterpreted and misapplied verses in all of scripture. This verse is abused by non-Christians as well as those living a carnal lifestyle. Non-Christians do not want to be held to any biblical standard while carnal Christians attempt to use the verse to avoid having judgment passed upon them and their questionable actions. The spiritual Christian knows that the context of the verse simply discourages judging hypocritically. God never intended for His children to not judge. This passage, along with many others, simply points out the inexcusability of passing judgment upon matters where those judging are likewise guilty of the same actions. The point is not to avoid judgment altogether but to avoid hypocrisy while judging. This truth was taught during the Lord's ministry but also reiterated by the apostle Paul in Romans 2:1.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children): Before trying to help others by telling them the things they need to do better for God, we need to be insured we are not guilty of doing the same things (Romans 2:21). Start by reading what Lamentations 3:40 says to do.

(For everyone): Why is it important that we first remove the beam from our own eye before casting the mote out of our brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5)?

(For everyone): The judgment men pass upon others will in turn be passed upon them. What should we do before we judge others? How careful should we be in passing judgment in areas where we too are struggling? Why?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask the Lord to give you the proper balance on judgment.

Ask God to give you wisdom and patience in judging others.

SONG

Nothing Between

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