8/23/26, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

What does it actually mean to judge, and are we doing it right? One of the most frequently quoted verses in all of Scripture is Matthew 7:1, where Jesus instructs us not to judge. But when we take a closer look at the full context of Matthew chapters 5 through 7, we discover something far richer and more nuanced than a simple prohibition. The Sermon on the Mount paints a picture of a follower of Christ who is merciful, humble, and relationally grounded, and that portrait is inseparable from what Jesus is teaching about judgment. As we dig into the surrounding verses, we find that chapter 7 is actually saturated with the theme of discernment and evaluation. The real warning is not against all forms of judgment, but against a specific kind: the hypercritical, self-righteous posture that tears others down while ignoring our own failures. The image Jesus uses is striking and even a little humorous. Trying to remove a speck from someone else's eye while a log protrudes from our own is not just spiritually dangerous, it is absurd. And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we recognize that tendency in our own hearts. This message challenges us to examine not just how we read Scripture, but how we see ourselves and the people around us.

Discussion Questions:

- How can the four tips for Interpreting Scripture help avoid generating myths?

- What would Scripture say is the best way to interact with people who are on the defense simply because you are a Christian? Provide Bible passages.

- “If you don’t reflect grace, you don’t understand grace.” Explain this statement.

- According to Matthew 7:2-5, why must we self-evaluate before evaluating one of our brothers?

- After reading the following verses, determine what they have in common. 1 Cor. 6:2; Ps. 119:66; John 7:24; Matt. 7:6,16; 18:15-17; Philip. 1:9