MATTHEW - Chapter 7 - RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
MATTHEW – Chapter 7 – RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
June 23, 2020
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
In view of the present contradictions in our justice systems and explicitly the Supreme Court, today’s Bible Study is to declare the Word of God concerning righteous judgment.
It goes without saying that the children of the King do not condemn or criticize others. Those who have a critical spirit will reap what they have sown (Gal. 6:7-8). However, this obvious principle must be balanced. Satan has twisted this principle to keep us from standing up and making righteous judgments. There is a prevailing doctrine today that says as a blanket statement that Christians are not to judge. This doctrine has created a weak church. Meekness is not weakness.
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Old Testament words for judge mean “rule, execute judgment; to be correct, or to render a correct decision.”
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Some New Testament words are:
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Krites – same as Old Testament.
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Dikastes – “a judicial hearing; justice.”
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Anakrino – “to investigate, question, ask, discern”
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Diakkrino – “to separate throughout; discriminate, discern, to decide or to judge, to distinguish.”
New Testament words for “JUDGE” are positive rather than negative. Still, some references are used to tell us that Christians are not to judge, while it is obvious, for example, that parents render judgments concerning their children; those in authority judge between people; civil judicial systems make judgments.
In Matthew 7: 1-5, Jesus instructs us how to judge and does not forbid judgment per se; however, we are not to condemn or criticize others.
Mat 7:1-5: Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Paul instructs us in Romans 14:4,13, that we are not to criticize or bring others into bondage by condemning them. That is why Paul left the dietary habits and the observing of days to the discretion (judgment) of the individual.
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God (1 Cor. 4:5).
In James 4:12, again we need to note from the context of 4:1 and 4:4 whom James is addressing. He is addressing those who cause wars, adulterers and adulteresses.
Jas. 4:12 - There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
The point of my message today is that we cannot take these Scriptures and say without qualification that Christians are not to judge (render wise decisions; discriminate, etc.).
While it is true that those who are unqualified are ever giving free advice, it is also true that JUDGEMENT (JUSTICE) is rendered by those whom the King has called, appointed, chosen, anointed, and confirmed.
1Co. 2:15: He who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
1Co. 6:1-3: Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
Psalm 119:66: Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.
Pro. 28:5: Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all.
Pro 29:4: The king establishes the land by justice, b