Understanding Judgment: Biblical Context and Humility

In today's message, we explored the often-misunderstood biblical concept of judgment, particularly focusing on the phrase "judge not" from Matthew 7:1. This phrase is frequently cited in discussions about moral and ethical issues, yet it is often taken out of context. The core issue we face is biblical illiteracy, where many, even those who identify as Christians, lack a deep understanding of the scriptures. This lack of understanding leads to misinterpretations and selective reading of the Bible, akin to picking and choosing from a buffet.

We are called to engage with the Bible deeply, making it a daily discipline to understand its teachings fully. This involves not just reading but allowing the Bible to challenge and transform us. The Bible speaks to many contemporary issues, and understanding its context is crucial. For instance, while Matthew 7:1 advises against judgment, John 7:24 encourages judging with righteous judgment. This highlights the importance of context and the need for spiritual maturity in discerning cultural and moral issues.

The role of the church is to be the conscience of the state, speaking truth into societal issues without being silenced. This involves a balance between calling out sin and extending grace. We must first address our own shortcomings before critiquing others, ensuring our judgments are rooted in humility and love rather than arrogance and pride. The message also emphasized the importance of prayer and seeking God's will, aligning our desires with His purposes rather than pursuing selfish ambitions.

Ultimately, the call is to live a life of genuine faith, marked by humility, repentance, and a commitment to God's truth. We are reminded that our actions and attitudes should reflect the transformative power of the gospel, leading us to be salt and light in the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Biblical Literacy and Context: Understanding the Bible requires more than surface-level reading. We must engage deeply with the scriptures, allowing them to challenge and transform us. This involves understanding the context of passages like "judge not" and recognizing the broader biblical mandate to judge with righteousness. [06:21]
• 2. Role of the Church: The church is called to be the conscience of the state, speaking truth into societal issues. This involves a balance between calling out sin and extending grace, ensuring our judgments are rooted in humility and love rather than arrogance and pride. [08:42]
• 3. Personal Reflection and Humility: Before critiquing others, we must first address our own shortcomings. This requires humility and a willingness to be broken before God, ensuring our judgments are made with a spirit of love and compassion. [12:22]
• 4. Prayer and Seeking God's Will: Our prayer life should align with God's will, seeking His guidance and wisdom in all areas of life. This involves asking, seeking, and knocking with a heart open to His leading, rather than pursuing selfish ambitions. [29:10]
• 5. Genuine Faith and Repentance: A genuine believer will have genuine fruit, marked by humility, repentance, and a commitment to God's truth. We are called to live a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel, being salt and light in the world. [45:29]
  ** [45:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - The Misuse of "Judge Not"
• [01:44] - Biblical Illiteracy
• [03:27] - The Importance of Daily Discipline
• [05:17] - Context of Judgment in Scripture
• [06:36] - The Church's Role in Society
• [08:42] - Being the Conscience of the State
• [10:30] - Addressing Our Own Shortcomings
• [12:22] - Humility in Judgment
• [14:33] - Extending Grace and Compassion
• [18:31] - The Dangers of Spiritual Arrogance
• [26:23] - Discernment in Sharing the Gospel
• [29:10] - Asking, Seeking, and Knocking
• [33:16] - Aligning Prayers with God's Will
• [45:29] - Genuine Faith and Fruit

1. Matthew 7:1-5
2. John 7:24
3. 1 Corinthians 2:15

1. What does Matthew 7:1-5 say about the way we should approach judging others? How does this passage emphasize the importance of self-reflection before critiquing others? [12:22]
2. In John 7:24, Jesus instructs to "judge with righteous judgment." How does this differ from the judgment mentioned in Matthew 7:1? [06:21]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 2:15, who is called to judge and discern all things, and what does this imply about spiritual maturity? [06:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the church in society, particularly in relation to speaking truth into societal issues? [08:42]

1. How can the apparent contradiction between "judge not" in Matthew 7:1 and "judge with righteous judgment" in John 7:24 be understood in the context of the sermon? [06:21]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between biblical literacy and the ability to judge righteously? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual maturity? [01:44]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of the church as the "conscience of the state"? What balance is suggested between calling out sin and extending grace? [08:42]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal humility and repentance are essential before critiquing others? How does this align with the biblical passages discussed? [12:22]

1. Reflect on your own understanding of biblical passages. How can you deepen your biblical literacy to avoid taking scripture out of context, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:44]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility before judging others. Can you identify a situation where you need to address your own shortcomings before critiquing someone else? How will you approach this? [12:22]
3. How can you actively participate in your church's role as the "conscience of the state"? What societal issues do you feel called to speak truth into, and how can you do so with grace and humility? [08:42]
4. Consider your prayer life. How can you align your prayers more closely with God's will, seeking His guidance rather than pursuing selfish ambitions? What specific changes can you make this week? [29:10]
5. The sermon calls for living a life of genuine faith marked by humility and repentance. What specific actions can you take to ensure your life reflects the transformative power of the gospel? [45:29]
6. How can you ensure that your judgments are rooted in love and compassion rather than arrogance and pride? Identify a recent situation where you may have judged someone harshly and consider how you could have approached it differently. [12:22]
7. The sermon warns against spiritual arrogance. How can you guard against this in your own life, ensuring that your knowledge and actions are seasoned with grace? [20:11]