MT 7 JUDGING OTHERS MT 7 JUDGING OTHERS
MT 7:6 PROFANINY THE HOLY
v 1-6. Jesus condemns unjust criticism, particularly the Pharisee’s judgment of Him. Christian leaders sometimes hide behind “judge not”, perhaps adding to it “touch not the Lord’s anointed”. We all can profit by what others have discerned in us. The point is to be sure our lives are such that we can be prudent in admonishing others. We must judge, 7:6, 16; 1 Cor. 5:3-5, 12 ,13; 2 Tim. 4:2; Rom. 15:14; 2 Thess. 3:15. We must judge carefully whether to continue to witness to those who treat God with scorn. We can continue to pray that God softened their heart and use you to show them the light of God. 9-15 The Lord's Prayer.
MT 7:7 ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
v 7-11. God does not want repetitious prayer, but a prayer from the heart of each one of us. Mat 6:7, but the tense here is keep on asking, seeking and knocking. It makes sense that God cares more for us than our earthly fathers, and He will award our persistence. “Effectual fervent,” James 5:16.
v 12. Only a righteous person can effectively follow the “Golden Rule”. This does not bring him salvation, but demonstrates his righteousness toward others.
v 13,14. MATT 7:13 THE NARROW GATE Jesus called the outward righteousness of the Pharisees the broad way while His teaching was the narrow way. Then and now, few find that gate. One author described it as a single file of people with their heads down crying and weeping going into a single door way threw Christ, and then another wide road with people singing, drinking, and having a good time suddenly fall off the edge ot where the road stopped.
v 15 MATT 7:15 FALSE Prophets False prophets; appear harmless in their ministry breeds error, division, and immorality ( 2 Peter 2:1-3) True and false prophets is distinction is rooted in the OT ( Deut 18:20-22; Jer 14: 13-16)
v 16-23. Having presented the true way, Jesus warned of false prophets who would lead people away from that way. False teachers could be known by the fruit they produce. MATT 21 CONCERNIGN SELF-DECEPTION Pharisees and others today who produce bad fruit will be destroyed. Even if they have cast out demons and done miracles, claiming to do it in His name, He will not know them because they do not have a personal relationship with Him.
v 24-27. MATT 7:24 HEARERS AND DOERS: He gave the people the choice of building on a good foundation, His rock solid truths, or the unstable sands of the Pharisees’ righteousness, which would be foolish. He has given the people the choice of two kinds of roads and gates, two kinds of trees and fruit, and two kinds of foundations and builders.
v 28,29. The people were overwhelmed by His teaching. He had spoken with the authority of God. The scribes and Pharisees could only reflect the instruction of the Law weighed down with their own traditions. Predictions of the Savior concerning the Great White Throne Judgment. Mt. 7:21-23