Making Charitable Judgments
Chris Patton
Matthew 7:1-5
May 28, 2023
Sermon Audio
Sermon Recap PDF
Matthew 7:1–5
[1] “Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. [3] 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? [4] 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? [5] 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. (ESV)
Main Theme: Believers must not, indeed they dare not sinfully judge one another.
Overview of Passage: A survey of the text was given.
The Importance of Judging Charitably
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7).”
- Someone who “believes all things” — “is apt to believe well of all, to entertain a good opinion of them when there is no appearance to the contrary; nay, to believe well when there may be some dark appearances, if the evidence of ill be not clear (Matthew Henry).”
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
— Matthew 7:12
- Because making judgments is unavoidable — in order to obey the words of Jesus in our text to not judge sinfully, it is necessary that we cultivate the habit of doing the very opposite—judging others charitably rather than critically.
- And it is important that we cultivate this habit in every aspect of life – the home, the church, the workplace, online, everywhere.
- The rest of the sermon sought to bring practical application of this biblical principle.
Questions for Discussion/Application
- Re-read Matthew 7:1-5 and 1 Cor. 13:7. Drawing from the sermon and your own reading of the text, take a moment and seek to summarize as a group Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1-5.
- Matthew Henry says someone who “believes all things” — “is apt to believe well of all, to entertain a good opinion of them when there is no appearance to the contrary; nay, to believe well when there may be some dark appearances, if the evidence of ill be not clear (Matthew Henry).” In your own words summarize, what Henry is saying.
- Why do we find it difficult, at times, to judge others charitably?
- In what ways does self-righteousness at times a contributing factor in believers making uncharitable judgments?
- Chris talked about how we can apply this call to judge charitably rather than critically in the family, the church and Online. How were you convicted of perhaps ways you judge others uncharitably? In what ways do you think God is calling you to grow in this area?
- Article Recommendation: The Danger of Playing God, by Ken Sande
- Note: This article had a significant influence on this message.
- Consider taking time to pray, asking God to help us to not critically judge, but rather to charitably judge others.