Making Bible Study Easy for everyoneEnglish • Hiligaynon
Bible Studies / New Testament / Matthew
Verse-by-Verse Bible Study

Matthew 7:1–14

Do Not Judge… vs. 1-6

MatthewNew TestamentEnglish
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Review…
    • The Sermon of the King…
      • The LONGEST public teaching recorded in the New Testament – Matthew 5-7
      • Teaching disciples – those who want to learn – how to be CITIZENS of the KINGDOM of God…
      • Beginning with the Beatitudes – Jesus established we are POOR in Spirit…
      • And knowing that is what allows us to be a Citizen of the Kingdom – because it drives us to Jesus!
    • Relationship with God
      • Jesus went on to define how to LIVE as a CITIZEN – how to RELATE to God in SIX ways…
      • FIRST – we are to GIVE in secret – because it shows a heart for God…
      • SECOND – we are not to PRAY in secret – talking to God – not to be seen by men…
      • THIRD – we must FORGIVE everyone – everything – every time – just as we were forgiven…
      • FOURTH – we are to FAST in secret – denying the physical so we can strengthen the spiritual…
      • FIFTH – we are to store up our treasures in HEAVEN – so we have a HEART for God…
      • SIXTH – we are NOT to WORRY – about our PHYSICAL needs [food – clothing]
      • Because we have this PROMISE – seek God FIRST – and He will give us everything we NEED!
  • 1st – Do Not Judge… vs. 1-6
    • 1st – Relationship with Others…
      • Having established how to become a Citizen of the Kingdom [we are NOT good]
      • And having moved on and define how to LIVE as a CITIZEN…
      • FIRST – by telling us how we are to RELATE to God [SIX ways]
      • FINALLY – Jesus will now tell us how we are to RELATE to each other!
    • 2nd – Motives… vs. 1-2
      • The command… vs. 1
        • Judge not – that you be not judged!
        • FIRST – do not JUDGE [imperative] others – or we will be JUDGED [passive]
        • JUDGE [κρίνω] – 114x in NT – to CONDEMN – have an OPINION about someone
        • This is NOT talking about our relationship with God…
        • This is talking about how we are to interact with OTHERS – do NOT judge them!
        • I have heard people say you CANNOT judge me – only God can judge me…
        • And to some extent I think I understand what they mean – but we need to be careful!
        • While it is true we cannot judge the INTENT of the heart…
        • We absolutely can JUDGE their actions – by comparing them to the Word…
        • If what someone is doing in CONTRARY to the Word – then we can say it is WRONG…
        • But we CANNOT judge WHY someone does something – what their MOTIVE is…
        • Only God knows the motive of the heart – only He can Judge that!
        • Psalm 44:21 – “For He knows the secrets of the heart.”
      • The reason… vs. 2
        • For with what judgment you judge – you will be judged.
        • And with the measure you use – it will be measured back to you!
        • The REASON why we are NOT to JUDGE is because it will come back to us…
        • However we JUDGE [present] others – is how they will [future] JUDGE us…
        • We same way we MEASURE [μέτρον] others – is how they will [future] measure us!
        • James [brother of Jesus] gave us a scenario in a church…
        • A rich man walks in with fines clothes – gold rings – he is invited to sit in the best seat…
        • A poor man follows – wearing rags – he is told to sit on the floor!
        • James 2:4 – “Have you not shown partiality [κρίνω] among yourselves – and become judges!”
        • We tend to make snap judgements of others – based on how they LOOK…
        • Or we read into simple GESTURES – without taking the time to learn their MOTIVES…
        • But when we are JUDGMENTAL of others – they tend to be JUDGMENTAL of us…
        • Better to think the best of others – do NOT assume their intentions…
        • Then other people will tend to think the best of us and our motives!
    • 3rd – Speck in the eye… vs. 3-5
      • Seeing Sin… vs. 3
        • Why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye…
        • But do not consider the plank in your own eye!
        • Sometime the Greek can inadvertently have a funny connection to Ilonggo…
        • Having stated that we are NOT to JUDGE others – the very next word is TEH [τί]
        • We can easily SEE [active] the SPECK in our brothers EYE…
        • SPECK [κάρφος] – a small piece of straw or dust…
        • Yet we do NOT stop and CONSIDER [we do see it] the BEAM in our own EYE…
        • BEAM [δοκός] – a LARGE piece of TIMBER used to support a house…
        • Because the SPECK and the BEAM are likely the same thing!
        • If you were to put YOUR finger in front your EYE – it would seem SMALL to me…
        • But if were to put MY finger in from of my EYE – it would seem HUGE…
        • Both ways it is a FINGER that is blocking our VISION!
        • We tend to see the SINS in others – that we are also struggling with…
        • We are the most JUDGMENTAL – when we also are GUILTY…
        • If we are GREEDY we SEE greed in others – if we have PRIDE we JUDGE the prideful…
        • We like to point out their flaws – because it takes the focus off of OUR own…
        • By pointing out THEIR sin – we can justify ourselves that we are not as bad!
      • Our Sin First… vs. 4
        • How can you say to your brother – Let me remove the speck from your eye.
        • And look – a plank is in your own eye!
        • HOW can we demand [imperative] to pull the SPECK out of our brothers eye…
        • While we still have the BEAM blocking our own vision!
        • When I was a child I used to go every year to summer camp…
        • I got into a fight – and a boy shoved a broom into my right eye – scarring my pupil…
        • I had to go to the EYE doctor and get treatment…
        • Imagine if that doctor – had a large BEAM coming out of his EYE…
        • I would have said NO thank you – I do NOT need your help!
      • Hypocrite… vs. 5
        • Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye.
        • Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye!
        • If we JUDGE others – pointing out their SIN [speck]
        • Just so that we can look BETTER – we are being a HYPOCRITE [ὑποκριτής] – TWO faced…
        • We are NOT really trying to HELP them – we are USING them to make us look better…
        • Therefore – FIRST cast out [imperative] the BEAM from our EYE…
        • THEN we can see CLEARLY to remove [future] SPEC from the EYE of our brother!
        • If I told someone I would help them overcome DRUNKENNESS…
        • As I was holding a bottle of BEER in my hand – they would be right to doubt me!
        • We CANNOT take people to a place we have NOT been…
        • In order to lead them to VICTORY over sin – we need to be VICTORIOUS…
        • Not that we are PREFECT – but we are seeking the ANSWER – looking to Jesus…
        • Because then we will have the right MOTIVE – not JUDGING others to look better…
        • But coming along side others – so they also can also be set FREE!
        • I Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow [μιμητής] me as I follow Christ.”
    • 4th – Not for Pigs… vs. 6
      • What is Holy…
        • Do not give what is holy to the dogs. Nor cast your pearls before swine!
        • There is a WARNING that Jesus gives we need to pay attention to…
        • We are called to come along side our BROTHERS – Galatian 6:1
        • But we are NOT to cast [subjunctive] what is HOLY [ἅγιος] before DOGS [unbelievers]
        • And do NOT give [subjunctive] our PEARS [wisdom] to PIGS [backsliders] – II Peter 2:22
        • We CANNOT help people who do NOT want to be helped…
        • If we give the HOLY [ἅγιος] Word to unbelievers who do NOT want the TRUTH…
        • Or if we give PEARLS of wisdom to backsliders who are NOT open to CORRECTION…
        • It will NOT have any effect – because their hearts are NOT ready!
        • Hebrews 4:2 – “The word which they [hear will] not profit them – not being mixed with faith.”
      • Not received…
        • Lest they trample them under their feet – and turn and tear you in pieces!
        • If we insist on reaching out to the DOGS and SWINE…
        • They will likely [subjunctive] TRAMPLE our words under their feet [ignore what we say]
        • Then TURN on us – and ATTACK [subjunctive] – tearing us to pieces!
        • People do NOT like to be told they are SINNERS – told they are WRONG…
        • They will likely as not – turn their ANGER on us – and ATTACK…
        • That does NOT mean we do NOT share the Gospel to SINNERS – Matthew 28:19-20
        • It does NOT mean that we do NOT reach out to our BROTHERS – Hebrew 3:13
        • What is means is we NEED to be led by the Spirit of God…
        • So that we know what we are saying is NOT judgmental – it is done in LOVE!
        • Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love.”
  • 2nd – Golden Rule… vs. 7-12
    • 1st – Keep Asking… vs. 7-8
      • How to Ask… vs. 7
        • Ask – and it will be given to you. Seek – and you will find. Knock – and it will be opened to you!
        • Jesus begins by given us THREE commands…
        • FIRST – We must [imperative] continually [present] ASK what the Lord wants us to DO…
        • If we do – then God will [future] GIVE [passive] His will to us…
        • SECOND – We must [imperative] continually [present] SEEK where He wants us to GO…
        • If we do – then God will [future] SHOW us [passive] where we need to be…
        • THIRD – We must [imperative] continually [present] KNOCK on the door in front of us…
        • If we do – then God will [future] OPEN [passive] the door for us!
        • My uncle Jim was a NICE man – he would help anyone…
        • But he wanted NOTHING to do with Jesus – hurt by RELIGION when he was young…
        • My Dad shared Jesus with him for TWENTY years – but He always rejected…
        • He was diagnosed with CANCER – and went into a COMA…
        • My Dad was by his bed – he woke up and accepted Jesus – died the next day!
        • Often when we PRAY we give up after a week – or a month – or a year…
        • But God does not call us just to ASK once – God calls us to be continually SEEK…
        • We need to be persistently KNOCKING – and NOT give up!
      • The Result… vs. 8
        • For everyone who asks receives – and he who seeks finds.
        • And to him who knocks it will be opened!
        • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who is an ASKER [participle] receives [present] NOW…
        • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who is a SEEKER [participle] finds [present] TODAY…
        • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who is a KNOCKER [participle] the door will EVENTUALLY [future] open!
        • [participle] – takes a VERB [action] and makes it an ADJECTIVE [description]
        • EXAMPLE – someone might occasionally go for a run [verb]
        • But a RUNNER [participle] is someone who is defined by running!
        • We are to be DEFINED [participle] by CONTINUALLY coming to the LORD…
        • We are ASKERS – SEEKERS – and KNOCKERS…
        • Because we KNOW we have a GOD who ANSWERS – SHOWS – and OPENS…
        • When we get to heaven – we will be amazed at how much God wanted to do in our lives…
        • But it NEVER happened simply because stopped ASKING – SEEKING – and KNOCKING!
        • James 4:2 – “You do not have because you do not ask.”
    • 2nd – Who to Ask… vs. 9-11
      • Earthly Father… vs. 9-10
        • What man is there among you who – if his son asks for bread – will give him a stone?
        • Or if he asks for a fish – will he give him a serpent?
        • Jesus uses the EXAMPLE of a FATHER to make His point…
        • What FATHER would give [indicative] his SON a stone [useless] – if he asked for BREAD…
        • Or give [indicative] his SON a SNAKE [harmful] – if he asked for a FISH!
        • Any parent can relate to this – we do not give our kids LESS than they ask for…
        • It is in our nature to give them MORE than they ask for – because we LOVE them!
      • Heavenly Father… vs. 11
        • If you then – being evil – know how to give good gifts to your children.
        • How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
        • Even though ALL men are SINNERS [πονηρός] – even FATHERS – Psalm 14:1
        • They still know how to give GOOD things to their children when the ASK…
        • How much MORE will our FATHER in Heaven give GOOD [ἀγαθός] to the ASKERS [participle]
        • What is the GOOD that the FATHER will give to us!
      • Holy Spirit…
        • Luke 11:13 – “Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
        • All of this ASKING – SEEKING – and KNOCKING comes down to ONE thing…
        • We NEED the POWER of the HOLY Spirit to come into our lives!
        • The ministry of the Spirit can be broken up into THREE categories…
        • The Spirit is with [παρά] us – CONVICTING us of our SIN – pointing us to Jesus – John 16:8
        • The Spirit lives in [ἐν] us – when we put our FAITH in Jesus – John 20:22
        • The Holy Spirit comes upon [ἐπί] us – gives us POWER to live for Jesus – Acts 1:8
        • We NEED the POWER of the HOLY Spirit every day…
        • Therefore we as constantly asking the FATHER to give His SPIRIT to us…
        • So that we have the POWER to do what is impossible on our own…
        • To live our life by the Golden Rule!
    • 3rd – Do unto others… vs. 12
      • Therefore – whatever you want men to do to you – do also to them.
      • For this is the Law and the Prophets!
      • THEREFORE – because we are FILLED with the HOLY Spirit…
      • Rather than being JUDGMENTAL of others – hypocritically tearing them down…
      • We instead are able to CONSIDER how we want them [subjunctive] to ACT towards us…
      • However we want to be TREATED – is how we MUST [imperative] treat others…
      • What we WANT is for others to LOVE us – therefore we must LOVE them…
      • Because only LOVE – fulfills ALL of the LAW and the PROPHETS [commands of God]!
      • When asked which was the GREATEST commandment – Jesus said there are TWO…
      • LOVE the LORD your God with all your heart – soul – and mind – Deuteronomy 6:5
      • And LOVE your neighbor as yourself – Leviticus 19:18
      • Matthew 22:40 – “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
      • This is NOT saying that people DESERVE to be LOVED…
      • Lets be honest – people are STINKERS – they are HARD to LOVE…
      • But it is NOT about WHAT they do us – it is about WHAT God DID for us…
      • He has given us the EXAMPLE – He LOVED the UNLOVABLE – Romans 5:8
      • And we likewise – filled with His SPIRIT – are called to LOVE sinners…
      • Because in the end – there are only TWO roads!
  • 3rd – Two Roads… vs. 13-14
    • 1st – Easy Way… vs. 13
      • Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction – there are many who go in by it!
      • FIRST – there is the WIDE gate – it allows ANYONE to come through…
      • It is at the END of the BROAD way – meaning LOTS of roads lead to it…
      • But this GATE leads to THE [ὁ] DESTRUCTION [ἀπώλεια]
      • ALL roads do NOT lead to heaven – they lead to the JUDGEMENT Seat – Revelation 20:13
      • This gate is WIDE – all RELIGIONS – faith in anything but Jesus – leads to it…
      • Sadly – there are MANY [most] people who are walking down it!
      • I was talking to Hallel the other day about follow the CROWD…
      • Lemmings are famous [though not entirely true] for going over cliffs…
      • I warned her NOT to be a lemming – know who you are following!
      • We need to be careful when we FOLLOW the crowd…
      • If everyone is doing something – going the same way – that does NOT mean we should follow…
      • Because most people are going the WRONG way – and are headed for HELL!
    • 2nd – Hard Way… vs. 13-14
      • [We must] enter by the straight gate.
      • Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life – and there are few who find it!
      • SECOND – there is a NARROW gate – it is HARD to get through…
      • But the command [imperative] is that we MUST enter there…
      • Because even though it is DIFFICULT [trouble] – it is the ONLY way that leads to LIFE…
      • And there are FEW [a small minority] who find it!
      • The ONLY way to get to Heaven is through Jesus Christ – John 14:6
      • If there was any other gate – then the cross was a waste of time – Galatians 2:21
      • Which is why we are called to be DIFFERENT from those who are in the world…
      • Because we are filled with the Spirit [ask] – we have the power to live the Golden Rule…
      • So we can show a LOST world – the RIGHT way – the NARROW path that leads to Heaven!