for you weigh men

"Jury Duty (Is it Okay to Judge?)" {Matt7:1-12}
* Intro: Matt7:1 one of most quoted, but also one of most misused & misunderstood
* What mean to "judge"?
- Judge in court: not prohibited
- Discern or distinguish: commanded to do so
- Condemn/have critical spirit {Luke6:37}: bingo
- "Forgiven person is one who will be a forgiving person."
* What Lord is not condemning
- Judging doctrine {Acts17:11}
- Judging teachers {Matt7:15-16}
- Judging sinful behavior {1Cor5:1-3}
* Caution: judge not motives -- only Lord can see heart of sinner
* How to avoid being judgmental
- Evaluate own standards: concern or condemnation? Limited knowledge limits judgment
- Evaluate own life {Gal6:1}
- Peanuts comic (knack for finding fault, overlooking own)
- "We can't fix anyone; only Lord Jesus can fix someone."
- Tearjerker story (Teddy & dead mom & teacher)
* Be discerning
- Prov 9:8: Judging others not effective use of time
* How to discern
- Need divine assistance
- God willing & desirous to give good things to askers
- Legalism is pharisees' line of thought
* Golden rule
- No self-righteousness & exclusion
- Realize own sin & treat others w/ love
- Love & sin recognition better than judgment