The Right Judgment for Today

The Right Judgment for Today

James 4:11-12

11-22-20

 

Judging is a self-righteous attitude of condemning people.

I.        Why Do We Judge Others?

 

1.    To excuse ourselves.

Romans 2:3 – “…you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—(do you think) that you will escape the judgment of God?”

 

2.    Because we enjoy it.

Proverbs 26:22 – “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”

 

3.    To exalt ourselves.

Luke 16:15 – “Jesus said, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts…’”

 

 

II.     Why Should I Not Judge?

 

1.    It's unloving.

James 4:11 – “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law…”

James 2:8 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”

 

2.    It dishonors God.

James 4:12 – “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”

 

 

III.  When is it Wrong to Judge Others?

 

1.    When I commit the same sins. 

Romans 2:1 – “…For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you…practice the very same things.”

 

2.    When I am blind to my own faults.

Matthew 7:5 – “…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.”

 

3.    When I focus on appearance.

John 7:24 – Jesus said, “Do not judge by appearances...”

 

4.    When I don’t have all the facts.

John 7:51 – “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”

 

5.    When I judge based on preferences.

Colossians 2:16-17 – “…let no one pass judgment on you about food and drink…or a Sabbath…the substance belongs to Christ.”

 

6.    When I don’t know others’ motives. 

1 Corinthians 4:5 – “Therefore do not pronounce judgment…before the Lord comes, (He) will bring to light…the purposes of the heart…”

 

7.    When I know that I will soon face God.

Romans 14:11-12 – “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me…each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

 

 

IV.    When is it Right to Judge?

 

When we see:

Fruit.

Matthew 7:16 – “Jesus said, ‘You will recognize them by their fruits.’”

 

Sin.

1 Timothy 5:20 – “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”

 

The King.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 – “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?…to judge angels? How much more, the matters pertaining to this life!”

 

Going Deeper This Week

 

1. What did you learn or get reminded of this week?

2. When or where are you most tempted to judge others?

3. What are we doing when we speak evil of someone? (James 4:11)

4. Describe God from vs. 12. How is God different from us when it comes to the ability to judge? Now look up 1 Corinthians 6:2 and discuss.

5. Review when it is wrong to judge others. What hits home with you? How do we judge with a righteous judgment (John 7:24, Matthew 7:16, James 1:5)?

6. Review when it is right to judge. Pray for one another.