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LIVING GRACEFULLY (5): JUDGE NOT
(Luke 6:37-38)
*Intro* – Someone has said, “The only thing good about being imperfect is the joy it brings others.”
I suppose that’s one way to look at it.
But those who joy in condemning others are like the snake who asked his companion, “Are we poisonous?”
The second snake replied, “I don’t know.
Why?”
The first replied, “Because I just bit my lip.”
I fear there are a lot of Christians biting their lip and poisoning themselves through their joy in judging others.
So here is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted passages in the whole Bible.
The world loves to quote, “Judge not,” as the ultimate deflection of accountability.
So, is that Jesus’ point?
Throw values out the window?!
I think not – but He did condemn something.
The lesson is 4-fold.
We are to be Slow to Condemn; Quick to Forgive; Ready to Give and Sure to Receive.
*I.
Slow to Condemn*
V. 37, “Judge not.”
The word “judge” comes from a root which means to separate or divide, thus to discern between right and wrong.
But it also came to mean to fault-find, criticize and condemn.
That’s how it’s used here shown by Jesus’ next explanatory phrase – “Condemn not.”
The two really cannot be separated here.
He is instructing against being judge, jury and executioner regarding some real or perceived wrong that we have suffered.
The word is used in this sense in Jas 4:11-12, “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.
The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.
But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.
But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
James is saying, “You’re a doer of the law, not Lord of the law.
Worry about yourself.
If they’re unworthy, so are you!” James condemns the spirit of moral superiority that declares others guilty and never points them to God.
We’ve assumed the role of God – a role God never intended.
Another name for this is a critical spirit.
We all have it – it’s just a question of degree!
Jesus is not suggesting we never confront wrong.
In v. 42 He notes that you can “take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye” – after you’ve dealt with the log in your own eye.
In I Cor 5 Paul upbraids the Corinthians for their failure to judge the immorality of a member who was sleeping with his father’s wife.
But it is to be done with a spirit of mourning, not haughtiness – and with a view to restoration.
In Matthew 18:15-18 Jesus give specific instructions how to deal with someone who has wronged us – first by going to them, then by taking someone along and finally by taking the matter to the church.
We’re not to act as though nothing happened.
We are to discern the sin, but deal with it properly – not with condemnation.
It may come to that, but that is God’s prerogative, and we are not God.
“Judge not” is all about not playing God in the lives of others for personal wrongs suffered.
In John 7:24: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
So how do we judge rightly without being judgmental?
Four thoughts to help.
*Not personally, but biblically* – “Judge not” doesn’t mean throw discernment to the wind and say “Anything goes.”
But it does mean, “Don’t judge by appearances”.
We don’t have the freedom to condemn because of personal hurts.
Our standard is conformance with Scripture!
After Paul left Galatia, false teachers followed.
Paul was adamant in his comments about the false gospel they taught.
He says in Gal 1:8-10, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?
Or am I trying to please man?
If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
You can almost hear some 21st century relativist come along and said, “Oh, Paul – there you go judging again!”
Wouldn’t have bothered Paul!
He was not defending his own rights; He was defending the integrity of the Word with all the vigor he had.
He was judging rightly.
*Not harshly, but lovingly* – “Judge not” does not mean just let sin go; it doesn’t mean that.
But it does mean, address it lovingly.
Gal 6:1, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
If we are spitting nails when we go to confront someone – harsh and accusatory, we are out of line.
“Judge not” prohibits a critical spirit determined to “set others straight”.
Ask: do I have a genuine concern for the other person, or am I out for my own satisfaction?
Critics demonstrate moral superiority, without patience or a genuine concern for the other person.
Criticism kills – it kills the critic.
Social critic Matt Arnold died and Robt Lewis Stevenson said, “Poor Matt.
He’s gone to heaven, no doubt – but he won’t like God.” Arnold was always right at the expense of everyone around him, had a total critical spirit – exactly what Jesus is attacking here.
*Not condescendingly, but humbly* – This is so critical.
“Judge not” condemns the arrogance that stands in the place of God for someone else with no recognition of one’s own vulnerability.
Gal 6:1 addresses that: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
“Judge not” is a call to acknowledge that we are not perfect either.
To judge without humility is foolish.
Jesus makes that point in v. 41, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”
To judge rightly is to judge me first.
Even when I have been wronged, I need to ask what part I’ve played?
“Judge not” means to find the log in yourself before you go looking for the speck in someone else.
Judge rightly.
*Not with condemnation, but with hope of restoration* – Matt 18:15, “If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
I Cor 5:5, “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
Gal 6:1, “restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
II Cor 13:9: “For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong.
Your restoration is what we pray for.”
Get the picture?
Confrontation must be for the purpose of restoration and renewal, not so we can get our kicks bringing someone down!
Anything else violates Jesus’s command.
Condemnation is God’s prerogative; ours is restoration.
Christian psychiatrist David Powlison writes, “We judge others – criticize, nit-pick, nag, attack, condemn – because we literally play God.
This is heinous.
[The Bible says,] "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you to judge your neighbor?"
Who are you when you judge?
None other than a God wannabe.
In this we become like the Devil himself.
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