Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that you be not judged. I. JUDGMENTS. 1. We are warned against judgments that are prejudiced. Not to judge others by a sort of hasty inspiration, by their manner, or by their class or locality. 2. We are warned against judgments that are uncalled for. Sometimes our duty; but often not required of us to judge our neighbour's character. 3. We are warned against judgments that are one-sided. Must hear both sides. 4. We are warned against unmerciful judgments. Danger arises from attributing motives. We must beware lest we ignore the possibilities of good even in a bad man. Be as merciful as you can be to the sinner. 5. We are warned against blind judgment — "Why beholdest thou," etc. Evil men more suspicious of others. II. RETRIBUTIVE judgments — who will inflict them (Luke 6:37, 38). 1. The first solution is that they are the judgments of men. This not practically true. 2. Consider the interpretation which attributes the retributive judgments to angels. It is not our Lord's wont to attribute judgment, forgiveness, etc., to angels. 3. God will inflict them. He judges men according to the state of mind in which they live. (J. E. Rust, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Judge not, that ye be not judged. |
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