JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE?

Introduction Illustration 1. My children were wrongly judged when they honestly were practicing a song to sing at my Bday

1. Judging Is Necessary but Dangerous 2. Judgment is necessary but must be extremely cautious 3. The only way to guard against deception is to be wise in judgment 4. When we interact we will constantly evaluate and form opinions with regard to others. 5. When we buy something must judge whether the seller is honest 6. When leaders are elected to the office of the church

The necessity of judgment

Prov 8:12-21 12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; 16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring

wealth and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Matt 10:16 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 1 Cor 2:15-16 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. Matt 7:15-17 15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Critical judgment
a. When we are negative towards a person we tend to be critical b. We only collect the bad data and not the good c. We overlook all the good and look at the bad d. We tend to watch only for words and action e. We dont allow them to explain themselves

Illustration

Visiting preacher had a white pen in his mouth but others saw it as a cigarette f. We question another mans motive when proof is not found h. Only God knows the heart of another

Wrong measuring rod

Deut 1:16-18 16 And I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly, whether the case is between brother Israelites or between one of them and an alien. 17 Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.

a. Measuring rod changes depending on how you relate to them E.g. Arabs use one rule for themselves and another for the expats Your friends and foes are judged differently Your child is judged differently from anothers Outward attire

b. A former wrong doer can be judged differently I may have already formed my opinion

Critical Judgments Come Naturally

1. Joseph was judged by their brothers wrongly 2. Eli Judged Hannah wrongly 3. Jesus was judged wrongly Pilate pleased the crowds 4. All disciples ended up martyred is because of wrong judgment

JUDGING CHARITABLY Judging with mercy

Luke 6:34-36 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. a. Having a positive attitude - You want to believe the best b. You dont interpret or give your opinion until you have all the facts c. You want to be kind to the wicked d. You want to be merciful because you are imitating God

Matt 7:1-6 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 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? How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matt. 7:1-6)

a. I dont want to judge others - I am turning from my natural feeling of judging b. If I am forced then I am going to be as merciful as possible c. I will remove my plank d. I will see clearly through Gods eyes e. I will do it in the fear of the Lord

How do I treat myself?

Matt 7:12 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. a. I will apply the law of love b. How do I want others to judge me? c. I will do everything to defend myself. I will bring all the facts before anybody draws a conclusion about me. d. I want everybody to understand my side of the story correctly e. I want others to treat me very graciously and mercifully

JESUS WANTS US TO TREAT OTHERS THE WAY WE TREAT OURLELVES

How do we love ourselves?

Matt. 22:39

Love your neighbor as yourself a. When we are judged, we judge ourselves favourably b. When we are criticized and judged, our response is to explain ourselves c. If we have wronged we want others to have mercy on us

JESUS WANTS US TO LOVE OTHERS THE WAY WE LOVE OURSELVES

See the best in the other person

1 Cor 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. a. Does not delight in evil, b. It protects c. Always hopes d. Always perseveres e. Second hand information can be gossip

Fear of the Lord

Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

a. Must be motivated by the fear of the Lord true b. What you say must be absolutely c. Be careful not to touch the credibility of another man

If you are in doubt then what must we do?

Matt 18:15-17 15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

a. Dont come to a conclusion b. Dont call another person but you and him all alone c. Find out whether what you hear is or see is correct d. Give him opportunity to explain himself

YOUR GOAL IS TO WIN HIM AND NOT TO PROVE THAT YOU ARE RIGHT

Your approach to the sinning person

Gal 6:1-2

6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

a. Only the spiritual should get involved b. One who is totally controlled by the spirit and not the flesh not with a spec c. It must be done gently not harshly or arrogantly self-righteous. d. Goal is restoration not judgment e. Not to bring disciplinary action f. Restoration takes time g. If you dont do correctly with the right attitude, you will be tempted

YOUR GOAL IS RESTORATION