In Matthew 7 Jesus says that we should “judge not lest we be judged” but what does that mean in the context of the Sermon on the Mount? Is Jesus teaching that we are never to make a judgement call or comment on sinful behavior? In this episode, Mike and Nathan unpack Matthew 7 in order to understand this important teaching of Jesus.
Biblical judgment isn’t about avoiding all forms of discernment, but rather avoiding hypocritical condemnation. Jesus teaches that before addressing others’ faults, we must first examine and correct our own shortcomings. The metaphor of the log and speck illustrates the importance of self-reflection before attempting to help others. True spiritual maturity involves both giving and receiving correction with humility and compassion, while being mindful of false teachers through careful discernment of their fruit.
Discussion Questions:
- What’s the difference between judging someone and holding them accountable in love?
- Why do you think people often quote ‘judge not’ without including the rest of Jesus’s teaching on judgment?
- How can we ensure we’re examining ourselves before attempting to correct others?
- What does Jesus mean by the log and speck analogy? How does this apply to our lives today?
- How can we tell if our correction of others comes from a place of humility versus hypocrisy?
- What are some characteristics of false teachers according to this passage?
- How should we respond when someone uses ‘judge not’ as a defense against legitimate accountability?
- What role does compassion play in biblical judgment and correction?