April 05, 2012
"Don't judge other people, or you will be judged." (Matthew 7:1)
This is one of the most misused and abused scriptures in all of the Bible, and it is usually by people who are living contrary to scripture and are not wanting to be held accountable for their actions. They somehow choose to ignore Jesus' words which are found in the same chapter as the verse they love to quote so much. Matthew 7:16 - "You will know them by their fruit."
Jesus is saying: Don't get the relationship out of order. It is
God
While we are not the judge, Jesus does want us to be smart. Jesus says—I want you to discern the hearts of others, and this is how I want you to do it:
Jesus makes it very clear, it is not our responsibility to judge and/or pronounce judgment, but it is our responsibility to determine what people are like—and the way we do that is by the fruit they produce. What kind of fruit are we (they) producing? Do our (their) life actions and our (their) words match? People are watching. We may know all the right words to say, but it is our actions that will reveal whether there has been a heart change and a new way of thinking in our lives.
Jesus goes on to say, "Not all those who say I am their Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. The only people who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do what my Father in heaven wants." (Matthew 7:21) It is not enough to "say," we must also "do." The way to heaven isn't easy. It is a narrow road and gate and only a few people will find that road. (Jesus' words, not mine.) Wide is the road that leads to destruction and many people will enter that gate. Unfortunately, I believe there are many people traveling down the wide road that leads to destruction who think they are on the narrow road. They say that the Lord is their God and they say, "Lord, Lord, we spoke for you." But instead of hearing, "Well done my good and faithful servant" they hear, "Then I will tell them clearly, 'Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you.' " (Matthew 7:23)
We must "do." Our actions/fruits will reveal the truth of who we are. We are known by our actions and we are to discern the actions of others.
Next Entry: Matthew 7:1–29 (Continued)
"Don't judge other people, or you will be judged." (Matthew 7:1)
This is one of the most misused and abused scriptures in all of the Bible, and it is usually by people who are living contrary to scripture and are not wanting to be held accountable for their actions. They somehow choose to ignore Jesus' words which are found in the same chapter as the verse they love to quote so much. Matthew 7:16 - "You will know them by their fruit."
Jesus is saying: Don't get the relationship out of order. It is
God
↓
Man.
It is not your position to "judge" someone else. It is mine. Your responsibility is to be looking at your own life. Confess what you need to confess. Repent when you need to repent. Turn from what you need to turn from. Take responsibility for your actions. Make sure you have died to self. Make sure you have no other gods beside me or in addition to me. Take care of yourself and leave the other people to me. I will judge. I will convict. I will avenge. I am in control.While we are not the judge, Jesus does want us to be smart. Jesus says—I want you to discern the hearts of others, and this is how I want you to do it:
- Be careful—some people look like sheep but they are really wolves
- You will be able to tell what the truth is (discern) by their actions
- Grapes don't come from thorn bushes and figs don't come from thistles
- A good tree produces good fruit (actions)
- A corrupt tree produces bad fruit (evil actions)
- A good tree cannot produce bad fruit
- A corrupt tree cannot produce good fruit
Jesus makes it very clear, it is not our responsibility to judge and/or pronounce judgment, but it is our responsibility to determine what people are like—and the way we do that is by the fruit they produce. What kind of fruit are we (they) producing? Do our (their) life actions and our (their) words match? People are watching. We may know all the right words to say, but it is our actions that will reveal whether there has been a heart change and a new way of thinking in our lives.
Jesus goes on to say, "Not all those who say I am their Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. The only people who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do what my Father in heaven wants." (Matthew 7:21) It is not enough to "say," we must also "do." The way to heaven isn't easy. It is a narrow road and gate and only a few people will find that road. (Jesus' words, not mine.) Wide is the road that leads to destruction and many people will enter that gate. Unfortunately, I believe there are many people traveling down the wide road that leads to destruction who think they are on the narrow road. They say that the Lord is their God and they say, "Lord, Lord, we spoke for you." But instead of hearing, "Well done my good and faithful servant" they hear, "Then I will tell them clearly, 'Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you.' " (Matthew 7:23)
We must "do." Our actions/fruits will reveal the truth of who we are. We are known by our actions and we are to discern the actions of others.
Next Entry: Matthew 7:1–29 (Continued)
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