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Judgmentalism
(Matthew 7:1-5)
Yearly Theme: “Faithfulness Is…”
Series Title: ““Respectable” Sins”
May 25rd, 2025

Something to think about:
All too often, we judge a person by what we don’t hear or see, or what we do hear or see but completely out of context, and it leads us to criticize or think poorly of another person. Like jealousy, we tend to create false narratives about people because we lack the complete truth about a person or a situation.

As we continue with our series today entitled “Respectable Sins,” we come to the sin of judgmentalism. According to Biblical scholar Douglas Hare, “The word 'judgmentalism' does not appear in all dictionaries, but it names a phenomenon we know all too well. Judgmentalism is a social sin; it is the habit of constantly finding fault with what others say and do. It is a disease of the spirit. The critic arrogantly assumes a superiority that entitles him or her to assess the failings of others.”[1]

As we take a closer look at our topic of the day, we do so by looking at the words of Jesus on this issue in Matthew’s Gospel, at the beginning of chapter seven:



[1] Hare, Douglas R. A. 1993. Matthew. Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press.

If you notice, Jesus wasn’t saying that we should not judge others. What he was saying is that we should be careful in the judgments we make. We should realize that the type of judgment we use toward others will be used against us. In addition, judgments we make about another person or group of people should lead us to face our own sinful struggles and tendencies before we take up the responsibility to correct another person for what we believe is wrong in their life.

So, good judgment leads us to help another person, but sinful judgment leads us to tear people down. And here’s the key point this morning:

Key Point: “Sinful judgmentalism is a result of personal preference rather than a passion for righteousness.”

So, what are the main takeaways from this passage that help us to learn how to discern proper ways to make judgment calls without being judgmental? Let’s break it down:

· Do not ______________.

Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT), 1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

· The ______________.

Matthew 7:3-4 (NLT), 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?

· The ______________.

Matthew 7:5 (NLT), Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Something to take home:
Most of us spend way too much time looking with criticism toward others instead of trying to learn more about them and why they are the way they are. It’s when we draw close to them that we are then able to discern the truth and speak with humility into their lives. It’s only then that we can learn what is real from what is merely perception.

The next time you become annoyed with another person, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Why does this person annoy/bother me?
2. Am I annoyed or frustrated with them because of my personal preferences, or because of sincere concern for their well-being?
3. Is what they are doing biblically wrong?
4. If what they are doing is Biblically wrong, am I willing to gently and humbly correct them?
5. Am I annoyed or frustrated with them because they are doing the same thing I struggle with?
6. Is what they are doing causing someone else to stumble?
7. Am I talking to others about my frustrations with another person and, in essence, gossiping about them?
8. What would Jesus do in this situation?

Key Point: “Sinful judgmentalism is a result of personal preference rather than a passion for righteousness.”

Read Matthew 7:1-5.

Sinful judgmentalism is a result of personal preference rather than a passion for righteousness.Have you ever struggled with being judgmental?Explain...

Jesus’ teaching on judging isn’t referring to honest assessments or analyses, but rather to judgmental, critical attitudes that come from a heart of frustration, anger, or hatred rather than a heart of love.In your own words, try and explain this further...

Jesus says in this passage of the “Sermon on the Mount” that we should not judge others, and we too will not be judged.He mentions that the standard we use to judge is the standard that will be used to judge us.How is this often the case?

Going further, Jesus speaks of worrying about the “speck in your friend’s eye” when “you have a log in your own.”Explain in practical terms what this means.Have you ever seen or experienced this?

Jesus’ solution for helping the friend with the “speck in their eye” is to “First get rid of the log in your own eye.”How does dealing with the “log” in our own eye make us able to help a friend with a “speck” in their eye?

Have you ever been judgmental toward others by Jesus’ standard?How have you, or are you, overcoming it?

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