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Matthew 7: 1-6

As we move from chapter 6 to 7 here, the context remains the same in the comparison that began in in chapter 5 verse 20…

Matthew 5: 20
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

We are to desire GOD’s will in our life… We must not only change but we must want to change as well… Attitude is everything. A selfishly motivated attitude puts you into the realm of a righteous façade like the Pharisees…

Most know of this saying and use it vehemently to defend their own unrighteousness… By so doing, they step into the very hypocritical attitude of the Pharisees in selfishness and living for the flesh.

Matthew 7
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.

JESUS is addressing those that belong to HIM. Those that live righteously… The "not" means to stop an act already in process. Humans are very critical of one another. The human race has always picked out differences between one another and highlighted them in a negative way to reinforce the perceived value of self… This verse is often quoted to prove that we should not judge each other at all. But, Matt. 7:5,6,15, 1 Cor. 5:1-12, and 1 John. 4:1-6 show that Jesus directs that believers evaluate one another spiritually.

The word used for Judge here implies a critical, judgmental, self-righteous spirit which judges others more severely than it does itself. It emphasizes one set of sins over another set of sins. It excuses one's own faults, but will not excuse the faults of others… The spirit of unforgiveness is steeped in such an attitude.

Matthew 7
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

You reap what you sow.

Matthew 7
3 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? 4 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?

These are not questions that JESUS expected a direct answer from the crowd… These are questions to ponder and consider in our own hearts before GOD… All so that HE may reveal the log in our own perspective and address it according to the righteousness that HE has already taught us precedingly.

Matthew 7
5 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.

The clamoring of people that “You can’t judge me” Is put down right here. We are not to judge according to the flesh and our own selfishness as was demonstrated by the religious elite of the day… What we must do however, is judge rightly. Discern properly… The fruit of righteousness can be seen as well as the fruit of sin can be seen… We must be able to recognize what is good and what is not… The point isn’t not judging at all… But rather the point is to judge rightly by the standard of absolute truth as set by GOD not man…

In fact,… If we do not judge at all then we cannot follow through with the discernment necessary in verse 6.

Matthew 7
6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

The "Holy things" must be taken in context of the entire Sermon on the Mount, which would be the teachings about GOD embodied in the life and ministry of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Simply put, the Gospel.

William Hendricksen, wrote in his commentary on Matthew, "This means, for example, that Christ's disciples must not endlessly continue to bring the gospel message to those who scorn it".


Questions for Biblical Study:
Who is the author of the passage?
Who is the author addressing?
What is the most important term/ concept in the passage?
What are the main Verbs? Verb tense?
Are there any terms that you need to define to better understand the passage?
Are there any places you need to identify?
What do you already know about the people and places mentioned?
Can you identify any cause and effect relationships in the author’s writing?
In what ways does the passage apply to your personal life?
What things in this passage might you want to study later in further detail?