warm-up

Name a celebrity or someone famous that you liked but stopped liking after you discovered something about them. Share the story with us.

Did you ever have a negative first impression of a friend that turned out to be wrong? What happened?

Would you say you are impulsive, or do you carefully consider all aspects before doing something? Recall an instance explaining this.

word

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

(Read Matthew 7:2-6.)

Jesus gave a firm instruction to His disciples about relating to others: Judge not. This may be one of the most quoted verses from the Bible. Some use this passage to prevent themselves from being judged for actions which are not acceptable to others. However, Jesus was talking about our behavior toward others. In this lesson, we will look at what Jesus taught about judgment, correction, and wisdom.

1
Judgment

¹“Judge not, that you be not judged. ²For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2

Many are quick to judge others by their actions and on their strict compliance to the rules. In light of this, Jesus warned His disciples that the way we judge others is the way we will receive judgment. In contrast, God does not judge us according to our sins, but rather He canceled the record of debt against us by Christ's death on the cross. Knowing that God is willing to save rather than judge us, how are we supposed to treat others (1 Peter 3:8-12)?

2
Correction

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? ⁴Or 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? ⁵You 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.” Matthew 7:3-5

Jesus emphasized how important it is to see and remove first the log in our own eyes before we can see clearly to take the speck out of our brother’s eye. When we focus so much on others’ mistakes and ignore or not see our own, we will not be able to objectively see the areas others need correction in. We must acknowledge our own areas needing correction, be humble to seek forgiveness from God, and then objectively and humbly correct others. Recall a time you received correction from someone, and how the correction helped you see a situation or a person more clearly.

3
Wisdom

“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.” Matthew 7:6

Jesus charged His disciples to correct themselves before correcting others. But more than that, He cautioned His disciples to use wisdom in correcting others. Without wisdom, we may waste time and effort in correction. With wisdom, carefully considering our relationship, the person’s openness to receive help and correction, and the biblical view of their situation, we can effectively offer correction. Recall a time you corrected someone, and it went well. What happened? How did you know it was the right time to offer correction to the person?

application

Do you believe in the forgiveness and mercy God offers to everyone, so that they do not need to fear judgment? Would you like to believe in it today? How will God’s forgiveness and mercy affect the way you live?

Are there areas in your life where you need correction and forgiveness? What is one thing you can do to receive correction in this area this week?

Is there someone in your context who needs wise, biblical correction in any way? How can you offer them correction in a timely and wise manner?

prayer

Ask God to help you see the areas in your life where you may need to receive correction. Pray for the humility to receive correction and help from others.

Ask God for the grace to objectively and clearly see the situations of those around you. Pray for His grace to help you exercise wisdom in offering correction.

Pray that as you relate with others, carefully exercising judgment, correction, humility, and discernment, there will be open doors to preach the gospel to them.

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© 2017 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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