#soap # Matthew 07 Tags: SOAP ## Title: Don’t Sit In Judgment ## Scripture: (Matthew 7:1-2) “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. (NET) ## Observation: This verse has stopped many conversations that could have been helpful. We will never know. While some people have used this Scripture to stop people from engaging in unhealthy conversations, the majority of people use this Scripture to stop someone from saying something we do not like. Is that what Jesus is saying? Is He saying we should never disagree with anyone or challenge someone we love if we see something possibly harmful in their life? No. This cannot be what Jesus is saying because just a few verses later He talks about knowing a tree because of the fruit it produces. That would mean we are “judging” a tree to be an apple tree if we see it is producing apples. What does Jesus mean? If we read the context, we realize He is saying we should not sit in a “seat of judgment” against someone. Let God decide what is just and unjust punishment for what someone does. There is a difference between saying someone is lying and saying you are going to slap someone because they are lying. Let God cast the judgment for their sin. We can mark someone by how they live. Now, what do we do with what we judge? Jesus also talks about that. He says we should focus on getting the “log” out of our own eye before we presume to tell someone with a “speck” how to get their life right. ## Application: Is there someone that you have been afraid to talk to because you have misinterpreted this verse? How do you need to pray for the Lord to open the door of conversation? How will you approach them in a healthy way? ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for giving us the wisdom to see and the patience to watch You work.