Beef – Part 2

Don’t Judge Me

• Matthew 7:1(ESV): ¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged.
• Matthew 7:2 (ESV): ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
• Judgment is reciprocal.
• Matthew 7: 3 (ESV): 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?
• Matthew 7: 4 (ESV): ⁴ Or 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?
• In the same way, before we cast judgment, we need to evaluate ourselves by that same standard judgment.
• And then upon reflection, if we see something in our lives that needs attention, then we need to address that first.
• Matthew 7: 5 (ESV): ⁵ You 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.

The Elephant in the Room

1. Self-Examination
2. Empathy (the natural byproduct of self-examination)

A Civil Rights Reflection

The Call to Judge

• 1 Corinthians 6:1–8 (ESV): ¹ When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? ² Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! ⁴ So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ⁶ but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? ⁷ To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸ But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

• James 3:13 (ESV): ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

• James 3:14-16 (ESV): ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
• James 3:17 (ESV): ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

• James 3:18 (ESV): ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Judge with Righteous Judgment

What principles guide the way we handle conflict brought to us directly or inadvertently?

• John 7:24 (ESV): ²⁴ Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

How do you acquire insight beyond appearances?

• Secure knowledge from primary sources.
• Matthew 18:15–17 (ESV): ¹⁵ “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
• Hear all sides of the issue.
• Proverbs 18:17 (ESV): ¹⁷ The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
• Proverbs 18:13 (ESV): ¹³ If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

“Appearances” are not just the result of what we see, but of what we feel.

• Things can “appear” a certain way because they seem a certain way based on our feelings.
• Reasons why we might feel a particular way about something:
• What we’re hearing sounds like personal experiences of our past
• What we’re hearing validates preconceived ideas we have about a person or a type of person
• What we’re hearing triggers emotions from past wounds
• You take sides with the aggrieved person because it resonates with you emotionally.
• But the Scripture warns us about this:
• Proverbs 26:17 (ESV): ¹⁷ Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

How do we counter the false impressions created by our feelings?

• We employ Word as a tool to help us judge.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV): ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
• We can’t judge rightly without Scripture.
• We also need to rightly handle the Scripture.
• 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
• Don’t just quote passages out of their specific context or out of the context of entire Bible for the purpose of justifying yourself.

Handle it or report it

• Exodus 18:21–22 (ESV): ²¹ Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ²² And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.
• You’re responsible for judging most conflict brought to you.
• You are responsible for defending the ministry, its leadership and its vision against people who slander it or create division in the church.
• Only bring the matter to senior leaders when the matter is beyond your capacity to judge.