Romans: The Danger of Judging Others
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I want us to look at what Jesus attacked more often, more severely, more directly than any other sin. It wasn't adultery, it wasn't taking drugs, it wasn't watching TV. But it was the sin of self righteousness.
Whether you're rich or poor, educated or uneducated, Christian or non Christian, you can find this attitude of judging others -- politicians, prostitutes, pimps and pastors. Everybody is guilty of this sin. You can find it everywhere. It's one sin we tend to make excuses for. "I'm not really judging; I'm just a fruit inspector." This sin Paul talks about as being a major problem in our lives.
I. No one has the right to judge others.
I. No one has the right to judge others.
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
Judging is the past time of the self righteous.
4 Characteristics of a Self Righteous Person:
4 Characteristics of a Self Righteous Person:
1. He accuses others and excuses himself.
1. He accuses others and excuses himself.
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Typical - we judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions. We excuse ourselves. Everyone else is guilty, but we are innocent. It’s the worst kind of religious pride.
How do people label their own sin?
a. We label our own sin. We don’t gossip, we share prayer requests or concern. I’m not critical, just discerning. We relabel our sin… I’m not negative, I’m realistic. I’m not un-relaible, I’m flexible. I’m not lazy… just laid back.
We judge others but we say, that’s just the way we are.
b. We conveniently forget our own sins. "The person who thinks he has a clear conscious just has a poor memory."
2. He measures other people by the wrong standard.
2. He measures other people by the wrong standard.
2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
SR says they are better than… This is on contrast with the way God judges, which is based on truth. The problem is we are blind to the truth. All of us have blind spots, areas of weakness we don't see.
Many times we don't see where we're at fault but we only see where other people are at fault. It's ironic but we tend to judge in other people what we dislike in ourselves. If you have a problem with pride you're going to be very quick to judge people who are full of pride. If you're very lazy you'll be very quick to judge people who are lazy. It's just our nature. When we start to judge things, we have the tendency to judge the things we dislike about ourselves the most.
When you see someone violently reacting to a certain sin it may be they have a fear of it or they are guilty of it. We measure by the wrong standards and tend to play God.
3. He thinks that judging others puts him in a better position.
3. He thinks that judging others puts him in a better position.
3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Judging others will not gain us points with God, so why do we do it? The reason we like to judge others is that it makes us feel better… like we’re not so bad.
ILL - If you owed 20 million and I owed 10 million, and I say, you are in bad debt, does that negate my debt? Of course not.
We look at other people and think their sin is worse that ours, so we try to negate our sin, but it doesn’t. Theirs may be worse than yours, but you still are accountable for your own sin.
Paul is saying don’t look at other’s sin and point criticism at them. When you point your finger you have three pointing back at you.
4. He misinterprets God’s blessing on his life
4. He misinterprets God’s blessing on his life
4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
Contempt = have low regard or treat lightly.
You have low regard for what God had done or you take it for granted. People think that if everything is going good, they are doing good, or they have favor with God. SR people think they deserve God’s blessings. He doesn’t realize it’s all God’s Grace and if God gave him what he deserved, he wouldn’t even be here. God blesses our lives… sometimes inspite of our sin… because of his grace.
It's amazing that God knows everything about you and about me and yet He's patient and loving. How many times could he have lowered the boom on us? Plenty. Paul is saying that our attitude should be one of knowing we don’t deserve all the good things God is doing in our lives.
The purpose of God's goodness and kindness is to lead you towards repentance. The purpose of God blessing your life is to motivate you to change. It’s the goodness of God that draws people to repent.
You don’t bring people to Christ by putting them down. You show them the benefits of knowing Jesus and what God wants to do in their lives. You show them the kindness of God, the patience of God, the love of God, the forgiveness of God…
When we realize how good God is to us and how little we deserve it, it ought to cause us to fall on our face and say, "I'm so grateful for what You've done in my life! You've not given me what I deserve but You've given me what You want to give me, Your kindness and blessing." A spiritually self righteous person misinterprets the goodness of God.
The Results of being judgemental
The Results of being judgemental
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
SR attitude is I’m ok, but everyone else is not.
Are you storing up wrath or treasure?
Store up treasure. Judgementalism angers God… because it is playing God.
Why is it that the people Jesus got the most upset at were the Pharisees not the adulteress? It's because they were judgmental. Being judgemental is playing God and only god is God and can judge.
While we are looking at this subject, here are some passages on when it’s wrong to judge.
When is it wrong to judge others?
When is it wrong to judge others?
1. It’s wrong to judge when you practice the same sin.
1. It’s wrong to judge when you practice the same sin.
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
2. It’s wrong to judge when it blinds you to your own faults.
2. It’s wrong to judge when it blinds you to your own faults.
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
We often judge others when we have the same thing going on in our lives… we just don’t see it. Jesus is saying get your life in order before confronting someone else.
3. It’s wrong to judge when you draw conclusions based on outward appearances.
3. It’s wrong to judge when you draw conclusions based on outward appearances.
24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”
hair, clothes, color,
Judging on outward appearance is wrong.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
4. It’s Wrong to judge when you condemn somebody else before hearing the facts.
4. It’s Wrong to judge when you condemn somebody else before hearing the facts.
51 “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”
Get the facts first. Even if your conclusion proves accurate ultimately, you're wrong anyway because you judged without getting the facts. How many times do we make judgements based on hearsay?
There's always more than one side to a story. There's your side, their side, God's side. Don't judge before hearing the facts.
5. It’s wrong when you judge a person’s spirituality on the basis of external observation.
5. It’s wrong when you judge a person’s spirituality on the basis of external observation.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
Don’t judge someone’s spirituality based on external observation. You see them at their best. Don’t get caught up in judging people by what you observe.
Christians all have their list of do’s and don’ts but each group has a different list. In some places, it’s ok to take a drink, but in others, it’s not. In some places, it may be ok to go to dances or smoke, but in others it’s not. In some places, going to a movie is bad. Or going to a Mardi Gras parade is bad.
On the other side, don’t assume that someone is a Christian just because you see them in church once per week. Just because you stand in your garage, it doesn’t make you are car.
6. It’s wrong to judge when it causes you to speak evil against or slander another believer.
6. It’s wrong to judge when it causes you to speak evil against or slander another believer.
11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
When we judge, we are speaking evil on the ones we are judging.
Slander means to speak and ruin someone reputation.
This is a fine line we have to face here. There are times in scripture we are called to be discerning and there are at least four times we are called to judge, not with this kind of condemning attitude, but with an valuative attitude.
There is a fine line. We are to hate sin but love the sinner. We are to hate wrong but love the people that are involved in it. Ephesians 4:29.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
This is talking about the whole concept of speaking positively about other Christians. He gives some qualifiers here on the way we're supposed to speak to other Christians. You speak in ways that build them up and not you. Speak in ways according to their needs, not your needs. Speak to edify, to encourage, to strengthen. We should speak positively to other people -- do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths
7. It’s wrong to judge anything.
7. It’s wrong to judge anything.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
Paul was often questioned about his motives. We can’t tell what people’s motives are so we should not judge people by what we think they are. Only God knows the motives, so let him judge.
II. Only God has has the right to judge others.
II. Only God has has the right to judge others.
That is God. v. 6-16 he tells us when God will judge people, how God will judge people, and what we will be judged for.
6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
When God will judge people
When God will judge people
16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
The day when all of us are going to give an account of ourselves before God at the throne. That date has been set, it's already on God's calendar. It will not be moved, postponed. It's an awesome thought to think that one day I will stand before God and give an account for every word that I've ever said, every thought that I've ever had, every action that I've ever taken. One day I will stand before God and I will be accountable to Him.
How God will judge people
How God will judge people
2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
This is why God can judge and we can’t. He knows everything.
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Nothing is hidden from God. He knows everything about us… thoughts, actions, words...
11 For God does not show favoritism.
You can count on a fair trial before God because He's impartial. It seems today that men's judgement is not impartial. We are partial. We're harsh on some people, we're soft on others. We all will be judged the same by God.
What we will be judged for?
What we will be judged for?
When you were in school and took tests, wasn't it helpful when the teacher told you in advance what was going to be on the test? God does not say "There's going to be a final exam at the end of your life, but you won't know what's going to be on it." In Romans 2 God tells us the three things that we're going to be held accountable for at the end of our lives. We can know right now so we can start preparing for the final exam.
1. We will be judged according to our conduct.
1. We will be judged according to our conduct.
6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
God's going to judge you according to what you have done, not according to what you intended to do. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. This verse is a quote from the Old Testament. Psalm 62:12 and Proverbs 24:12 which talks about the mercy of God and God judges us according to our deeds. "There is a personal accountability." God is not going to judge you according to what other people have done. YOU are accountable for your sins.
2. We will be judged according to our conscious.
2. We will be judged according to our conscious.
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
If you're a Jew (which means under the law) then you'll be judged because you knew the law. If you're a Gentile and you didn't know anything about the Ten Commandments you'll still be judged apart from the law. It doesn't make any difference.
Each of us will be responsible for acting on what we knew. How did we respond to what we already knew? Just because somebody knows more that we do doesn't excuse us. Just because the Jews had God's revelation did not excuse the rest of the world. The ultimate issue in your life is not, How much do you know? but, What did you do with what you knew?
3. We will be judged by our character.
3. We will be judged by our character.
16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
When he talks about the word "secrets" he's literally talking about people's motives. We are not to judge peoples motives but God can because God sees inside of us. He knows what we're really like. Just like in the previous verse -- if you don't know the law, it's written on your conscious. It doesn't matter what your religious background is, if you don't have a Bible you've got a conscious.
It's interesting that people say, reputation is what you are to other people, character is what you are in the dark. Reputation is what people say about you, character is what God says about you. It says, "God will judge men's secrets".
Our only hope
Our only hope
You don’t have to go through judgement.
You don’t have to go through judgement.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
If your name is on the book of life, you bypass the judgement. You bypass judgement by making sure your name is in the Lambs Book of Life.
Jesus wants to save us from judgement.
Jesus wants to save us from judgement.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.