JUDGING OTHERS

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Matthew 7:1

Judging or forming an opinion or conclusion about something/someone is very common these days. We are constantly judging or being judged by someone. A teacher judges a student who fails constantly as just lazy and fails to see signs of dyslexia. Jesus warns us against this judgemental attitude. When we judge, we fail to realize that we will also be judged in the same way by God.

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Matthew 7:4

Simply put, when our vision is compromised how can we help out others. We must first look at our own sins and repent for it. Then the Holy Spirit will guide us in helping out others.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:6

This might seem totally opposite to what God said in the above verse. But without this verse, the above verses could also be misunderstood.

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9

The Word of God gives life to people. It is too precious to be wasted on people who have hardened their hearts. Jesus compares these people with dogs and pigs, no one will want their precious items to be destroyed by them. God doesn’t mean that we should not preach Gospel to non-believers but to be wise enough to know when and where to do it.

So, once we look at our own faults and seek God’s wisdom, He will enable us to see His will.

ASK, SEEK & KNOCK

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7‭-‬8

Our God has given us the privilege to ask Him freely through prayer. This should not be taken wrongly, it doesn’t mean that we can ask anything and God will provide all of it. If we read in Luke 11:9-13, it clearly states that when we earnestly seek God for His Holy Spirit, He will generously pour on us. Our God is already aware of our earthly needs and He will take care of it.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them.

Matthew 6:31‭-‬32

He wants us to have the earnest desire to seek Him in our prayers.

THE NARROW AND WIDE GATE

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13‭-‬14

We are given the choice of two pathways to travel. The wide gate represents the easy way, where one finds their travel comfortable. Jesus warns us by saying that this route leads to destruction. We see in the bible, how Jesus faces many tribulations, temptations and persecution during His ministry.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:11‭-‬12

While staying inside our comfort zone, one can not follow Christ. Jesus could have chosen to take the wide gate but He has set an example for us by taking the narrow road which will lead us to eternal life.

TRUE AND FALSE PROPHET

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Matthew 7:15

Here we are being warned about false prophets and how they will disguise themselves and fool us.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

2 Peter 2:1

They can easily lead us away from God. Therefore, it is always important for us to verify according to the Word of God. A false prophet can be identified by their fruits. In the present scenarios, many would rather ask prophets, preachers or even fortune tellers, than seeking God directly. Due to which, it has become easier for the devil to deceive us.

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 24:24

TRUE AND FALSE DISCIPLES

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 7:21‭-‬23

The nature of a true disciple is the one who does the will of our Father in heaven. This disciple forsakes his own earthly desires and instead, desires to follow the commandments of God.

In this passage, we can see two sets of false disciples. One, who doesn’t do the will of God but would rather simply ask God to rescue them. They don’t like to put in any effort or go through tribulations for God.

The second group are who think they can enter heaven by their own works and fail to recognize God’s grace on them. As a believer, we ought to be very careful of these thoughts.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8‭-9

THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS

As Jesus finishes His teachings, He concludes with the importance of practicing His commandments. Jesus compares the person who hears and follows God’s commands, as a wise man who built his house upon the rock. This house has a strong foundation, hence, is able to withstand all the tremors and tribulations of life. Our foundation should be faithfulness to God.

While the person who just hears the Word of God but chooses to act according to his own wisdom, is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand. He heard the architect warn him against his crazy idea but still wants to build his house on shaky grounds. This house will fail to withstand the tribulations of life and collapse at the end. It is wise to trust our God and build stronger relationship with Him, rather than following our own worldly wisdom.