Matthew 7:1

GOLDEN PRECEPTS.. Matthew 7:1-12.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- Therefore, all things that ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them. -- Matthew 7:12. TIME AND PLACE. --As in last four lessons. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Romans 2:1-4. I. Cor. 4:1-5; James 4:10-12; Luke 11:9-13. LESSON ANALYSIS. --1. Motes and Beams; 2. Bread and Stones; 3. The Golden Rule.

INTRODUCTION.

This passage, from verses. to 12, grouped as. whole, refers to our conduct towards our fellow-men. The line of thought seems to be that in this evil world there is much to provoke censoriousness. We must not indulge it, since it exposes us to judgment. The folly and hypocrisy of this is shown by an illustration (vs. 3-5).. disregard of character is equally foolish (v. 6). God's kind and wise dealings toward us should to remembered, and we should act in the same spirit toward others.

I. MOTES AND BEAMS.

1. Judge not, that you be not judged.

As the term "judge" is used in more than one sense, we must take that one here which is in harmony with the teaching of Christ elsewhere.

1. It is plain that he does not prohibit the civil judgment of the courts upon evil doers, for this is approved throughout the whole Bible;

2. It is plain that he does not prohibit the judgment of the church through its officers upon those who walk disorderly, for both he and the apostles have enjoined this;

3. It is also certain that he does not forbid those private judgments that we are compelled to form of wrong-doers, for he himself tells us that we are to judge men by their fruits. (See vs. 15-20 below.)

What he designs to prohibit is rash, uncharitable judgments,. fault-finding spirit,. disposition to condemn without examination of charges. The Pharisees were universal fault-finders, and condemned everybody but themselves. Too many still have the same spirit. They are guilty of "evil surmising," ready to "think evil," put the worst construction upon conduct, hold people guilty until they are proved innocent, rather than innocent till they are proved guilty. Such uncharitable judgment is due to the absence of love in the heart.