Hearing His Voice Today
A Critical Spirit

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Matthew 7:1-6 (KJV)

1. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

1. What does Jesus mean when He says "Judge not"?
   It would be best to consider, first of all, what He does not mean by this statement.
   1. He does not mean we are to not make any judgements.
      Look at verse 6, "Cast not your pearls before swine." Who are the swine?
      Look at verse 15, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing."
      Jesus said, "You shall know them (my disciples) by their fruit." We are often called upon in Scripture to make determinations or judgments about character and behavior.
      1. Courts have a God-given responsibility to make judgements.
         The courts called by God "to execute wrath upon the evil doer" (Romans 13:4).
      2. Churches have a God-given responsibility to make judgements.
         In Matthew 18:17 Jesus tells the church they are required to pass judgment.
      3. Christians have a God-given responsibility to make judgements.
         You are called to judge whether or not what you hear is truth or heresy.
         (Galatians 1:8; I Corinthians 15:35-36; II Timothy 2:17; I John 4:1-2).

         "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. . . ." II John 10.

   2. He does mean that we are not to have critical spirits.
      Charles Spurgeon and some friends saw a drunk falling in an alley. The other men laughed and made cutting jokes of the drunk. Charles Spurgeon had a tear in his eye. Spurgeon said, "But for the grace of God, I am that drunk." The other men were silent.
      1. A critical spirit feels superior (Luke 18:9-14).
      2. A critical spirit hopes for the worst in others (I Corinthians 13:7).
      3. A critical spirit expresses opinions without facts (Luke 11:15).
      4. A critical spirit will always question motives (only God can judge the heart).
      5. A critical spirit wants to pronounce final judgement (Luke 9:54).
2. How do we avoid having this critical spirit?
   1. Rest in an understanding of God's grace in loving you (v.2).
      It is the human nature to be self righteous, critical and judgmental. God changes that. Jesus says one of the evidences of a graced heart is a lack of a critical heart (v.2).
   2. Recognize that within you lies the capability of being the chief of sinners (vs. 3-5).
      A critical person is not interested in helping, but is delighted to condemn.
      A person who looks within himself and sees his own faults can then "clearly" see to help remove the speck from his brother's eye. A lack of understanding of one's own weaknesses clouds the judgment. First, look within and see you are also susceptible.
   3. Realize that those who are open and willful in their sin will hate you.
      Dogs and swine lived outside the city of Jerusalem. They were mean scavengers, willing to fight anyone who crossed their territory. Jesus said, "Don't throw your pearls before them" in an attempt to win them. They first need to be broken in spirit which is a work that only God can do. "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden . . ."