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Judge And Discern
Matthew 7:1-7
Rev. Dr. Stephen Tee
Introduction
This passage is most:
 confusing
 misunderstood
Among believers
and even ministers
Believers and Minister believed that
Jesus prohibit them to judge.
If that is the case, then Jesus is
contradicting Himself.
For in verses 6, 15-20 Jesus distinctly
commands Not suggests to:
 discern
 beware
 know
Confusion arise from the English word “judge”
Word “judge” is both a “noun and verb”
Most believers who read this assumes it is
a noun and not a verb.
Judge – noun ‘one who judges as:
 a public official authorized to decide
questions brought before a court.
 one who gives an authoritative opinion
Jesus is teaching that if we act as a judge
we will also be judge accordingly.
So judge oneself first before judging others
Studying the Greek provide a clearer meaning.
Greek is the verb and not the noun:
to form an opinion about through careful
weighing of evidence and testing of premises
“Krino” related to English > critic, criticize)
primarily signifies to:
3. separate
1. distinguish,
4. or discriminate;
2. choose,
Meaning to distinguish between

good and evil,
 right and wrong,
It means to: sift out and analyze evidence.
Judge not is:
1. command or imperative voice
2. present tense
3. active mood
What Jesus is addressing is the spirit and/or
motivation of one's judgment.
The OT prophets were often very judgmental
toward Israel, but the difference is that they
were speaking God's words to His rebellious
chosen people!
"Do not judge according to appearance,
but judge with righteous judgment.“ Jn 7:24
Jesus teaches that we are not to judge:
 according to outward appearance
 according to our own opinion
 other people’s motive only God knows
God’s Word is the basis of all judgment
Believers are permitted to judge:


doctrine,
teaching,
 lifestyle,

character.
NOT Motives
If believers are not to judge then, we can:


preach heresy
live immorally
Verse 2, Jesus teaches we must be prepared
to be judge by others if we judge others.
For example:
1. If we are a teacher, then we must be
prepared to be judge for what we teach.
2. If we write a book, then we must be
prepared for others to be evaluated.
3. If we are God’s servant, people possess
the right to judge our lifestyle.
If we are not prepared to be judged then
we should not:
 write a book
 teach,
 preach
Verses 3-4, Jesus teaches that we must first
evaluate ourselves before we judge others.
If not then we will be branded as hypocrite.
This does not mean that we are not to judge.
Verse 6 – Jesus commands believers to:
 judge
 discern
 differentiate
Who are the
dogs and pigs.
Jesus called some people Dogs and Swine.
Is Jesus not judging?
These are strong and unkind words.
Dogs “Kuon” – wild mongrels.
 dirty
 vicious
diseased

dangerous
Another word for dogs is kunaria meaning
little puppy or little dog.
Jesus encountered some people who
behaves just like dogs.
Swine - choiros (khoy-'ros) meaning:
 pigs
 stupidity
 unclean
 sow
 hog




lazy
selfish
vicious
greedy
Here Jesus refers to people – who does not treasure
or value certain truths and blessings of God.