Theological term
Righteous Judgment
3 sermons · All terms
The Prohibition Against Judgmentalism
Matthew 7:1–5 contains not a universal ban on discernment but a precise prohibition against the censorious, fault-finding spirit that delights in the shortcomings of others. Working through three movements — the prohibition itself, Christ's explanation of its consequence, and the plank-and-speck illustration — the sermon establishes that judgmentalism is a serious sin condemned by Christ on the Mount, one attended by self-righteousness, a lack of charity, and a practical denial of remaining corruption in oneself. The application calls believers to seek the Spirit's influence, apply biblical law evenhandedly, pursue humility, and let the cross be the death knell of self-righteousness.
Spiritual Discernment and the Limits of Judgment
Matthew 7:6 — 'Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine' — is not a withdrawal from gospel witness but a call to Spirit-given discrimination between brothers in Christ and hardened enemies of the gospel. The sermon works through the contrast between Matthew 7:1–5 (censorious judgment toward brothers) and 7:6 (the prohibition against treating dogs and pigs as brothers, and vice versa), showing that the same Jesus who forbids a judgmental spirit also forbids a naive one. Drawing on Calvin, Spurgeon, and the apostolic precedents in Acts and the Pauline epistles, the exposition applies the text in three directions: guard against judgmentalism toward brethren, remove your own plank before correcting others, and seek wisdom to identify genuine enemies of the gospel without lazily writing off ordinary sinners.
2LCF Chapter 26 - Of the Church, Part 13
The conduct required of an offended church member, and the proper interpretation of Matthew 7:1–6 in relation to church discipline, stand at the center of this study of 2LCF 26.13. The confession forbids the offended party from absenting themselves from worship or disturbing church order while awaiting the church's further proceeding, and calls them instead to wait upon Christ. Matthew 7:1–6 is not a blanket prohibition against all judgment but a condemnation of the censorious, nitpicking, fault-finding spirit that disregards the law of God and one's own sin. The sermon closes with the exhortation to remove the plank of self-righteous censoriousness before seeking to help a brother with his speck.