The Extreme Danger of Improperly Judging Others
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Improperly judging others results in personal condemnation!
Improperly judging others results in personal condemnation!
Main Point:
First, not ALL judgment or judging is wrong!
There is negative judgment (sin)
There is positive judgment (righteousness)
Second, terms matter!
Happy Mother’s Day!!!
It is a common occurence on Mother’s and Father’s Day to reflect upon the positive attributes, qualities, and actions of those who raised us into adulthood.
While growing up, I remember my mom often saying the following statements to me:
“IF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE ABOUT SOMEONE, DON’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.”
“TREAT OTHERS HOW YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU.”
“BE CAREFUL HOW YOU JUDGE, OR YOU WILL BE JUDGED.”
This great motherly advice was actually Godly instruction contained in the New Testament. T
This great motherly advice was actually Godly instruction contained in the New Testament.
Today, we are going to look at the source for the solid advice our mother’s gave us about how we handle and interact with others—namely… how we judge others.
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.
Romans 2:1-10
Here is a little textual information about this passage:
In chapter 1 Paul addressed the Gentiles and their proclivity for sin.
However, chapter 2 is addressed to the Jews—but his opponent is imaginary. That is, Paul thinks of how the Jews of his day live, think, and approach life and then lumps it into one “man” that he builds his case against.
So what does Paul envision about his “opponent”?
National Pride: The Jews placed extreme value in the privilege of being made an Israelite
Extreme Racism: An utter hate and contempt for the Gentiles
The Jews hated the Gentile’s manner of life
The Jews hated the idolatrous pursuits of the Gentiles
The Jews hated being around the Gentiles and hated being under Gentile rule.
The Jews hated the affliction, persecution, ridicule, abuse, and extortion they experienced under the Gentiles.
Religious Pride: They love the covenant and their religious system
The Jews boasted in the Law of God
The Jews boasted in the temple of God
The Jews boasted in external religious conformity
The Jews boasted in the Pharisees—who exemplified religious compliance!
Extreme Hypocrisy: Externally, the Jews were different; internally, they were the same!
Extreme Need of God!: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!
Now that we’ve seen what undergirds Paul’s perception of his second audience (the Jews), let’s take a minute and walk through the conceptual premises of each verse in this passage (from the ESV)
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
1 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
When you practice evil AND assess the evil within others… you absolutely prove your guilt and effectively remove ALL excuses of ignorance, weakness, and failure.
We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.
: And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
God is righteous to condemn and punish those who try to do the same to others—essentially, they affirm the validity of judgment and punishment in their issuance of it!
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
Rom.2:3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
God’s judgment, condemnation, and dispersing of punishment is GUARANTEED to those who practice evil AND condemn others for practicing evil.
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
When we look at others—and ignore our own sin—we demonstrate an insane contempt for God, His mercy, and His loving invitation to find forgiveness in Him.
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
R5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Consequently, to show contempt toward God and His invitation to salvation increases the outpouring of wrath we should expect from God on Judgement Day!
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
who will render to each person according to his deeds:
· (1b) 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
· (1a) 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
· (2a) 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
· (2b) 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,
· (1b) 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Know this for certain… God will justly judge everyone according to how they live! For those who seek righteousness, He will grant them an abundant eternal life. For those who walk in evil, He will pour out His distressing wrath and indignation!
So, we see that those who judge (improperly) can ABSOLUTELY expect the severe judgment of God to fall upon them!
What do we do with this? Let’s start with a question...
Q: What do I mean by judging others improperly?
Understand that the Bible differentiates between two types of Judgment:
Sinful
Obedient:
Obedient
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, 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.
We will take a few minutes and look at each
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. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Sinful Judgment: That which hypocritically, coldly, and arrogantly condemns another person
Sinful Judgment: That which hypocritically, coldly, and arrogantly condemns another person
Sinful Judgment Looks to Condemn Instead of Redeeming (vs. 1)
Sinful Judgment Looks to Condemn Instead of Redeeming (vs. 1)
The type of judgment that Paul has in view in Romans is that which condemns others
Condemnation, in the Greek (katakrino), means to pass down or through based upon personal assessment, example, opinion, and legal process.
In short, Paul identifies that the MOTIVES of those who sinfully judge another are rooted in a desire to find fault so that one can issue penalty/punishment.
That is, this type of judgment is punitive and restorative!
Sinful Judgment Ignores Personal Sin (vs. 1)
Sinful Judgment Ignores Personal Sin (vs. 1)
Shockingly, sinful judgment refuses to engage in self-examination!
This is the sinful judgment Jesus condemns and chides against in
The massive sin present in the life of the one who judges is ignored and, instead, great effort is utilized to uncover the “speck” of sin within the life of another in order to condemn that person.
Paul tacks onto this problem with a further identification of the gross-amount of sin that is realized within the life of the one who sinfully judges another.
The word “practice” (GK. prasso) means to bring about and carry out some activity—TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Paul identifies that those casting judgment (in this case) apparently cannot be bothered to cease from the very evil they see in others; in fact, they actually WORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Sinful Judgment Ignores the Righteousness of God (vs. 2)
Sinful Judgment Ignores the Righteousness of God (vs. 2)
Q: How does this sinful judgment ignore God’s righteousness?
It fails to realize that the righteousness of God MUST judge ALL sin through wrath—including your own!
It fails to realize that the identifying sin is not the same thing as dealing with sin—sin must be removed!
It fails to realize that hypocrisy ALWAYS receives a stricter penalty and treatment ()—to show someone their faults while concealing your own will result in an extreme outpouring of wrath!
Sinful Judgment Ignorantly Assumes a Mastery of Righteousness (vs. 3)
Sinful Judgment Ignorantly Assumes a Mastery of Righteousness (vs. 3)
In order to PROPERLY judge another, several conditions must be met:
Maturity: One must completely understand ALL the distinctions and qualifications of good and evil.
Insight: One must completely and perfectly be able to peer into all aspects of the situation:
The physical: Do we know what another heard, saw, felt, and experienced?
The relational: Do we know the exact details and events within the relationships of others
The heart: Do we know the passions, motivations, and desires of another?
The mind: Do we know the thoughts of another?
The work and will of God: “Who are we to judge another’s servant”
Authority: One must have the legal authority, right, or position to judge (condemn) another
Sinful Judgment Abuses the Grace of God (vs. 4)
Sinful Judgment Abuses the Grace of God (vs. 4)
How does sinful judgment abuse the grace of God?
It ignores the salvific work of God, and instead of proclaiming the gospel it spews venomous accusations (which is what Satan does)!
It refuses to celebrate the gracious work of God and arrogantly presumes that some knowledge of God equates to personal righteousness (even the demons believe and know of God).
It refuses to understand that all men are created by God, all men have fallen in sin, and all men are in desperate need of God; instead, it revels in personal achievement and self-affirmation!
= Because God forgave us, we are to forgive each other—not try to condemn people to hell!
Sinful Judgment Ignorantly Accumulates More of God’s Wrath (vs. 5)
Sinful Judgment Ignorantly Accumulates More of God’s Wrath (vs. 5)
This thought absolutely terrifies me! Instead of finding forgiveness and mercy, the one who judges improperly accumulates God’s wrath in greater amounts—ultimately resulting in eternal damnation!
= If we don’t forgive others, Jesus will not forgive us.
The point of the type of Judgment that Paul has in view is that this judgment is geared towards condemnation, rejection, and a lack of love.
That is, instead of preaching and proclaiming REPENTING FROM SIN TOWARDS GOD FOR FORGIVENESS, this judgment revels in the lostness and damnation of others—it does not want others (namely our enemies) to find the mercy of God.
Consequently, this type of judgment works against God and His goals; thus, pitting one against God—a fight you will lose!!!
This brings us to the next concept, we judge sinfully when we do not understand God’s goals!
Sinful Judgment Does Not Understand God’s Goals (vs. 6-10)
Sinful Judgment Does Not Understand God’s Goals (vs. 6-10)
God works in us for:
His Glory
Salvation
Our Good
Our Joy, Happiness, Satisfaction, and Peace
Unity with Others
The Good of Others
The Salvation of Others
We tend (in evil) to work towards:
Our glory, fame, and success
Our satisfaction and personal pleasure
Exclusivism—we want to be elite!
Our pride—we look at others and belittle them so we feel better!
Positive Judgment:
Obedient Judgment: That which diligently works to avoid both personal and corporate sin
Obedient Judgment: That which diligently works to avoid both personal and corporate sin
Obedient Judgment properly distinguishes between good and evil
Obedient Judgment properly distinguishes between good and evil
= We are to test the spirits—which occupy, motivate, and deceive others!
Obedient Judgment strives to avoid sin and works to keep others from sinning
Obedient Judgment strives to avoid sin and works to keep others from sinning
= We must confess our sin to God to find forgiveness!
= When we properly judge ourselves and avoid sin, we avoid the judgment of others!
= W are to examine and test ourselves to see if we belong to Jesus!
Obedient Judgment warns, corrects, and invites others to return from sin
Obedient Judgment warns, corrects, and invites others to return from sin
= We are to judge each other (not outsiders), so that we avoid sin!
= Elders who persist in sin are to be openly rebuked in front of the church!
= We are to rebuke those who sin, but we are also to forgive them!!!
Refuses to fellowship with those who have a stubborn and unrepentant attitude towards God
Refuses to fellowship with those who have a stubborn and unrepentant attitude towards God
= We are to “purge” the stubbornly evil person from our midst.
What’s the real difference between sinful and obedient judgment?
Authority: God or you?
Desired Outcome: Restoration or Destruction?
Attitude: Friendly or Hostile?
Responsibility: Mutual or None?
Standard: God’s Word or Personal Preference?
What Response Does God Expect From Us?
What Response Does God Expect From Us?
We are to hate sin as God hates sin—we flee from it!
We are to love others as God loves us—we both warn and extend mercy!
We are to spend our days seeking to know God and emulate God—it is the Holy Spirit that helps us accomplish this!
Question: How Are You Doing at Loving God and Others?
Question: How Are You Doing at Loving God and Others?
Are you failing in honoring the holiness and righteousness of God—tolerating sin?
Are you failing in honoring the love, mercy, and grace of God—judging others as less than yourself?
Are you failing in honoring the relationship God invites us into—refusing to seek the Lord?