February 26, 2023
COMPASS: KEYS TO LIVING THE GOLDEN RULE
February 26, 2023
Pastor Charles Billingsley
“Don’t judge!” This verse, Matthew 7:1, is being referred to as the new John 3:16 in the world as so many seek an “anything goes” lifestyle with no condemnation. But what was Jesus saying? What did He mean? Today we continue our series from the Sermon on the Mount, as we listen to Jesus expound to His listeners the way God desires His children to live in the new Kingdom that was being established on earth. This most powerful of sermons touched on the two important relationships, man and God and man to man—with the Bible as our moral compass.
Focal Passage: Matthew 7:1-12.
Don’t Judge
· Don’t judge unfairly: Read Matt. 7:1-2. What are some of the areas in which we tend to judge people? Often, what do we really know about the person whom we are judging (in our mind, heart or with our mouth)? What is so wrong about judging them without knowing what problems they face, or their history?
· Don’t judge superficially: Read John 7:24. What did Jesus mean? How can you train yourself to “look beneath the surface”? What are some factors of the history or upbringing that could play a large role in someone’s actions, opening them up to criticism? Why is it possible that our hypocritical attitude is not biblically based but a personal preference?
· Don’t judge hypocritically: Read Matt. 7:3-5. Why do we think that criticizing someone else’s sins will make our own look so much better? What does this sinful thought process show us about our own heart? What reasons might there be that church folk are among the greatest offenders of judging unfairly, superficially, or hypocritically?
Learn to discern the Dogs and Hogs
· Read Matt. 7:6. Who is Jesus speaking to? What is His point in this verse? If He was giving a blanket statement of not judging, how would we know who those are who hate the truth?
· Read Matt. 13:58, and 10:11-14, 16. Did Jesus believe the disciples had enough wisdom to judge with righteous judgment? What does this statement mean: “Use wisdom before treating holy things as holy but don’t treat unholy things as holy”?
Instead of pointing, start praying
· Being critical of other people may be something “everyone is doing” but is it still a sin in God’s eyes? How can we develop the habit of redirecting our thoughts into righteous discernment of someone’s actions?
· Read Matt. 7:7. How are we to pray? Read Romans 12:12, Eph. 6:18, Phil. 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:17. How can you train yourself to have a deeper and more meaningful prayer life?
Be active, not passive
· Read Matt. 7:12. What is the difference between being “reactive,” and being “proactive”? How can you be proactive with this verse? How can you discipline yourself to look at someone with the objective “What can I do for them,” rather than waiting to see what they can do for you?
Always err on the side of Grace
· Why should a believer administer Grace whenever possible to people?
· When is the last time you received grace, when you perhaps deserved justice? Read James 2:13. Which would you rather God gave you—mercy (grace) or justice? Don’t forget to give grace to others during your day (like drivers, cashiers, waitresses, etc.)!
Close:
Generations ago, children who walked to school were taught to “Stop! Look! Listen!” as they crossed roads where a car might be coming unseen. This is excellent advice for training our heart to be less of a hypocrite. Criticizing other people, especially those in the church who are our brothers and sisters, is a harsh judgment fostered by our own insecurities. What are some reasons we judge the motives, intentions, or even—God help us!—their salvation, based on our own moral perception of their lifestyle? There may be several reasons, but none are pretty.
One reason might be the insecurity in our own hearts. Are we trying to appear godlier than those we criticize, who (we think) are showing their appearance in a certain area to be not on a par with our own? Do we remember God is looking at the heart? Another reason might be that we want to be noticed by the hierarchy of the church: perhaps we hope the pastor himself—next in line after God!—will think we are so much more than we are. Well, our critical attitude will soon eradicate that! And another reason is that possibly, just possibly, our criticism is valid. Maybe her dress is so very short, or you can see straight through it, or her blouse covers almost nothing or their car is a Tesla! But what do you know about their heart? In these and many more scenarios, our judgmental spirit will show that we consider ourselves to be worthy of being a judge—but be careful, for, as James tells us, these have evil motives.
What do we do? Run to God in prayer, repent quickly, and let Him clean your heart. Then go back to last week’s “Close” on the sermon study Group Time and reapply the principles of a new prayer life. Get yourself in line with God’s standards and soon you may want to meet the people you are tempted to criticize. Possibly they are placed in your life so you to get to know and love them! Now wouldn’t that be amazing?
By Sandy Day February 26, 202