Today we start a series called “Misused Bible Verses.” In these 4 sermons we will look at scriptures commonly taken out of context, misapplied and used incorrectly among both believers and the unbelieving.

Some of these scriptures are even used among Atheists to attempt to show the error of scriptures or to use a misquoted scripture to beat you up with.

I wanted to try and hit on some major misused scriptures and we know there are more than the 4 we will consider. So Our sermon title for today is called How do we Judge Others?

During His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated the following words:

Judge not, that you be not judged. —Matthew 7:1

This verse seems to be thrown in the face of a Christian, who points out that a particular behavior or practice is sinful.

Unbelievers and even professing Christians people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” But is that really what Jesus was teaching? Let’s take a closer look at the context. The full scripture reading is:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. —Matthew 7:1-5

Notice that the point of Jesus’ teaching here is that we are not to be self-righteous or hypocritical in our judgment. For example, if I was a gossip, then I have no business telling someone how sinful they are for being a gossip. That’s hypocritical.

But make no mistake, Jesus is clear, He does expect us to “deal with the speck” in our friend’s eye, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ. He wants us to discern sin in others so we can help them get away from it… we DO judge acts of sin.

This is a good place to remind us… we have permission and a responsibility to speak to our brothers and sisters for the purposes of restoration… not condemnation. AMEN?

In other words, if I am living a godly life, then I can be in a position where I can properly point out sin in another person’s life. Paul encourages us

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. —Galatians 6:1

There are several problems with someone citing Matthew 7:1 as “proof” that a Christian should never try to point out sin in someone’s life. So for note takers, 3 truths for us to practice when we see sin in others.

First, Be a Fruit inspector

Later in Matthew 7 Jesus said

v15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
V20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. —Matthew 7:15, 20

Here, the sin is false teachers, in application, any sin we see we have full freedom to point it out.
James reminds us the PURPOSE in pointing out sin is restoration.

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. —James 5:19-20

Second, Identify Sin

Jesus and the apostles demonstrated on numerous occasions that we need to make judgments of sinful behavior.
These examples establish that we are correct in pointing out sin, as defined by the scriptures.

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery,

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more. —John 8:10-11

Jesus here shows mercy in a moment when a woman was caught in sin… adultery is sin! He does not condemn her, but He also stands on the truth that sin is wrong, Go and sin no more.

Another example, When Simon the sorcerer thought he could buy God’s gift of the Holy Spirit with money, Peter said,

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. —Act 8:20-21

Notice that Peter judges and admonishes Simon for his corrupt heart.

We also see, Paul publicly rebuking Peter for leading people astray by slipping back into a form of Jewish legalism. see (Galatians 2:11–21)

So when professing Christians cite Matthew 7:1 out of context, they reveal their ignorance of scripture and the examples set by our Lord and His apostles.

Third, notice the hypocrisy.

The person who tells you not to judge just did when they told you not to do… They judged you.

They made a judgment that what you were doing was wrong, and then they went ahead and hypocritically told you that you shouldn’t ever tell people that they are wrong.

This idea or thought of not telling people they are wrong is based in the CULTURE today, not in the truth of Scripture. By the way we are wise to remember about the truths of culture…the first four letters there CULT.
It so reminds me of a caution for us from the OT

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. —Proverbs 14:12

The Bible is very clear that we need to make judgments… judgements on our own behavior, Judgments on our children’s actions, and judgement of the world around us.

And, we are called to point out sin in a persons life and plead with them to repent of their sin and trust in Christ.

James again reminds us

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. —James 5:14-16

At the same time, we must not be hypocritical in our judgment. We need to constantly examine our own lives and then personally “go and sin no more.”
Our Judgment is always meant for restoration! And in doing so, we must guard our hearts from condemnation of that person.