Criticism to Godlike Discernment

Text: Matthew 7:1-6

  1. Reject a Condemning Spirit

  • Matthew 7:1  “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.”
  • The issue is not seeing sin—it’s the spirit we bring when we see it.

  1.  Remember the Standard You Use Comes Back to You

  • Matthew 7:2  “For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.”
  • If you want mercy in your life, you have to make room for mercy in others’ lives.

  1.  Examine Yourself Before You Correct Others

  • Matthew 7:3–4  “Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye?”
  • We are often most blind to the sin closest to us—our own.

  1. Deal With Your Heart So You Can Help Others

  • Matthew 7:5  “Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.”
  • God cleans your heart not just for your sake—but so you can help others the right way.

  1.  Use Wisdom in How and When You Speak

  • Matthew 7:6  “Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.”
  • Saying the right thing at the wrong time can still do the wrong thing.