Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7 concludes Jesus' powerful Sermon on the Mount, a cornerstone of Christian teaching that began in Matthew 5. This chapter, rich with memorable phrases and profound truths, addresses vital aspects of Christian living, including judgment, discernment, prayer, and the importance of a solid spiritual foundation. Understanding Matthew 7 is crucial for any believer seeking to live a life that pleases God and impacts the world. This chapter of Matthew 7 offers guidance on how to live righteously, avoid hypocrisy, and build a life that can withstand the storms.
Judging Righteously (Matthew 7:1-5)
Perhaps one of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bible comes from this section: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). However, this statement is often taken out of context. Jesus isn't forbidding all forms of judgment, but rather condemning hypocritical and self-righteous condemnation. Illegitimate judgment involves creating your own standard of what is acceptable and then measuring everyone else against it, while conveniently ignoring your own flaws. Those who presume to take God's place as judge will be judged by the same harsh standard they use on others (Matthew 7:2). It’s a boomerang effect.
Jesus illustrates this point vividly with the image of a "speck" in someone else's eye versus a "log" in your own (Matthew 7:3-5). Imagine straining to remove a nearly invisible speck from your brother's eye while being oblivious to the massive plank protruding from your own!
The remedy isn't to avoid helping others, but to first address your own sin. Remove the "log" from your own eye so that you can see clearly to help your brother with the "speck" in his. When you’ve addressed your own sin, you’ll be more understanding, compassionate, and righteous in your assessments and better able to help a brother address his own sin. This involves humility, self-awareness, and a recognition of our own imperfections. Only after acknowledging our own shortcomings can we offer help to others with a spirit of love and restoration, not condemnation.
Discerning Wisely (Matthew 7:6)
While Jesus cautions against judgmentalism, He doesn't preclude all forms of discernment. There are numerous places in the Bible in which God instructs his people to make judgment calls. Matthew 7:6 warns, "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs." This verse speaks of spiritual discernment – recognizing those who are openly hostile or dismissive towards spiritual truths.
The difference between sinful judgment and the discernment Jesus calls us to is the standard we use. Sinful judgment uses your own standard and condemns others. Discerning wisely uses God's standard and refuses to give what is precious in God's sight to those who refuse to value spiritual things. It's wasteful and unwise to offer something others will hate, even if it's valuable. It’s about using wisdom to recognize when our efforts to share the gospel or offer spiritual guidance are being rejected and potentially even mocked.
The Power of Prayer (Matthew 7:7-11)
Jesus encourages us to persistent prayer, promising that "Everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:8). Prayer is an earthly request for heavenly intervention. It doesn’t make God do what’s outside his will but releases him to do what is inside his will. God has determined that he will not do certain things until asked. The question is this: How long should you ask, seek, and knock? Until you get an answer. There are three answers to prayer: yes, no, or wait. If you haven’t heard yes or no, then you keep asking.
He assures us that God, like a loving father, will give us good gifts. "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11). God answers sincere seekers of truth, because He is a good Father. This reinforces the idea that God is attentive to the needs of His children and desires to bless them.
The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)
In the context of judging others and prayer, Jesus utters this boomerang principle: Whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them. We call this the Golden Rule. This verse encapsulates the essence of ethical behavior and loving relationships: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." This principle, often called the Golden Rule, transcends cultural and religious boundaries. In short, it means to love others: to practice the “one anothers” of Scripture (e.g., John 15:12; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Do for the people around you what you want God to do for you, and watch how he delivers. It's a call to empathy, compassion, and proactive love in our interactions with others.
Two Paths, Two Destinies (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus contrasts two paths: a wide gate leading to destruction and a narrow gate leading to life. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
There’s a wide gate and broad road that many people follow, seeking to have a relationship with God (Matthew 7:13). It’s called religion. Religion is man’s attempt to make himself acceptable to a holy God. But the narrow gate that leads to life is Jesus; he makes us acceptable (Matthew 7:14). Few find this road because few are willing to accept God’s way to obtain eternal life. The only legitimate way to a relationship with God is his way: through his Son and his cross. The narrow gate signifies the path of discipleship, requiring commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to follow Christ's teachings, even when they are unpopular or challenging.
Beware of False Prophets (Matthew 7:15-20)
Jesus warns about false prophets who "come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Often people follow the wide gate and the broad road because they’ve been given faulty directions. That’s why people need to be on . . . guard against false prophets. They claim to speak for God, but they’re liars. They come camouflaged, looking like sheep when they’re actually wolves (Matthew 7:15). He emphasizes that they can be identified by their "fruit" (Matthew 7:16). If a tree is healthy, it will produce good fruit. If the fruit is bad, it’s because the tree itself is bad (Matthew 7:17-18).
The lesson here is that you need to examine the evidence of a teacher’s life and ministry. Is that person’s teaching and doctrine consistent with God’s Word? Does his lifestyle display holiness and love for the Lord? If either answer is no, don’t be deceived. Watch out for the counterfeit. This means examining their teachings, their character, and the impact of their ministry. Are they leading people closer to Christ, or are they promoting self-serving agendas?
True Discipleship (Matthew 7:21-23)
Jesus clarifies that mere words are not enough. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Someone can call Jesus, Lord, Lord, and have a ministry that appears to be authentic (Matthew 7:21-22). Nevertheless, a lack of good fruit will expose them. The King of kings will thus respond, Depart from me, you lawbreakers (Matthew 7:23).
This passage emphasizes the importance of obedience and genuine faith that translates into action. It's not enough to simply profess belief; we must actively live out our faith by doing the will of God.
Building on a Solid Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27)
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with an analogy of two builders: one wise and one foolish. The wise builder builds his house on rock, while the foolish builder builds on sand. When the storm comes, the house built on rock stands firm, while the house built on sand collapses (Matthew 7:24-27).
I once had a crack on a wall of my house. No matter how many times I had it fixed, the crack came back. Finally, I learned the problem wasn’t with the wall; the problem was a shifting foundation. Many of us have “cracks” in our lives—emotional, relational, financial—but we address the symptoms and not the source of the problem.
Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount with a story about two men who had three things in common. Each man built a house (7:24, 26); both heard the words of Jesus (7:24, 26); and both encountered a violent storm (7:25, 27). That’s where the similarities end and the contrast begins. One of these men was wise and the other foolish. Wisdom is the ability and willingness to apply spiritual truth to life’s circumstances. In contrast, foolishness is the inability and unwillingness to apply spiritual truth to life’s realities.
The wise man heard Jesus’s words and acted on them—that is, he built on a foundation of rock (7:24-25). To do so is harder and more time consuming. The fool built on sand. This is easier, cheaper, and faster to do. But the choice of approaches raises a question: How long do you want your house to stand? You cannot build a skyscraper life on a chicken coop’s foundation. If you want stability in your personal life, your family, your ministry, and your community, you need the strong, sturdy foundation of God’s Word—which includes both knowledge of the Bible and applying it to life.
The storm revealed which man was wise and which one was foolish. The trials of life will expose what your foundation is made of. This powerful illustration emphasizes the importance of grounding our lives in the teachings of Christ. Hearing the word is not enough; we must also put it into practice.
The Authority of Jesus' Teaching (Matthew 7:28-29)
The crowds were astonished by Jesus' teaching because "he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:29). The Jewish scribes had their traditions and opinions, but Jesus spoke with the authority of the voice of God. And we have his words in the Bible. Jesus spoke with a directness and conviction that resonated with the people, setting Him apart from the religious leaders of His time.
Conclusion
Matthew 7 provides invaluable guidance for navigating the complexities of life as a follower of Christ. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, extend grace to others, seek God in prayer, and build our lives on the firm foundation of His Word. By embracing these principles, we can live lives that are pleasing to God, impactful in the world, and able to withstand the storms that inevitably come our way.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7 concludes Jesus' powerful Sermon on the Mount, a cornerstone of Christian teaching that began in Matthew 5. This chapter, rich with memorable phrases and profound truths, addresses vital aspects of Christian living, including judgment, discernment, prayer, and the importance of a solid spiritual foundation. Understanding Matthew 7 is crucial for any believer seeking to live a life that pleases God and impacts the world. This chapter of Matthew 7 offers guidance on how to live righteously, avoid hypocrisy, and build a life that can withstand the storms.
Judging Righteously (Matthew 7:1-5)
Perhaps one of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bible comes from this section: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). However, this statement is often taken out of context. Jesus isn't forbidding all forms of judgment, but rather condemning hypocritical and self-righteous condemnation. Illegitimate judgment involves creating your own standard of what is acceptable and then measuring everyone else against it, while conveniently ignoring your own flaws. Those who presume to take God's place as judge will be judged by the same harsh standard they use on others (Matthew 7:2). It’s a boomerang effect.
Jesus illustrates this point vividly with the image of a "speck" in someone else's eye versus a "log" in your own (Matthew 7:3-5). Imagine straining to remove a nearly invisible speck from your brother's eye while being oblivious to the massive plank protruding from your own!
The remedy isn't to avoid helping others, but to first address your own sin. Remove the "log" from your own eye so that you can see clearly to help your brother with the "speck" in his. When you’ve addressed your own sin, you’ll be more understanding, compassionate, and righteous in your assessments and better able to help a brother address his own sin. This involves humility, self-awareness, and a recognition of our own imperfections. Only after acknowledging our own shortcomings can we offer help to others with a spirit of love and restoration, not condemnation.
Discerning Wisely (Matthew 7:6)
While Jesus cautions against judgmentalism, He doesn't preclude all forms of discernment. There are numerous places in the Bible in which God instructs his people to make judgment calls. Matthew 7:6 warns, "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs." This verse speaks of spiritual discernment – recognizing those who are openly hostile or dismissive towards spiritual truths.
The difference between sinful judgment and the discernment Jesus calls us to is the standard we use. Sinful judgment uses your own standard and condemns others. Discerning wisely uses God's standard and refuses to give what is precious in God's sight to those who refuse to value spiritual things. It's wasteful and unwise to offer something others will hate, even if it's valuable. It’s about using wisdom to recognize when our efforts to share the gospel or offer spiritual guidance are being rejected and potentially even mocked.
The Power of Prayer (Matthew 7:7-11)
Jesus encourages us to persistent prayer, promising that "Everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:8). Prayer is an earthly request for heavenly intervention. It doesn’t make God do what’s outside his will but releases him to do what is inside his will. God has determined that he will not do certain things until asked. The question is this: How long should you ask, seek, and knock? Until you get an answer. There are three answers to prayer: yes, no, or wait. If you haven’t heard yes or no, then you keep asking.
He assures us that God, like a loving father, will give us good gifts. "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11). God answers sincere seekers of truth, because He is a good Father. This reinforces the idea that God is attentive to the needs of His children and desires to bless them.
The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)
In the context of judging others and prayer, Jesus utters this boomerang principle: Whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them. We call this the Golden Rule. This verse encapsulates the essence of ethical behavior and loving relationships: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." This principle, often called the Golden Rule, transcends cultural and religious boundaries. In short, it means to love others: to practice the “one anothers” of Scripture (e.g., John 15:12; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Do for the people around you what you want God to do for you, and watch how he delivers. It's a call to empathy, compassion, and proactive love in our interactions with others.
Two Paths, Two Destinies (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus contrasts two paths: a wide gate leading to destruction and a narrow gate leading to life. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
There’s a wide gate and broad road that many people follow, seeking to have a relationship with God (Matthew 7:13). It’s called religion. Religion is man’s attempt to make himself acceptable to a holy God. But the narrow gate that leads to life is Jesus; he makes us acceptable (Matthew 7:14). Few find this road because few are willing to accept God’s way to obtain eternal life. The only legitimate way to a relationship with God is his way: through his Son and his cross. The narrow gate signifies the path of discipleship, requiring commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to follow Christ's teachings, even when they are unpopular or challenging.
Beware of False Prophets (Matthew 7:15-20)
Jesus warns about false prophets who "come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Often people follow the wide gate and the broad road because they’ve been given faulty directions. That’s why people need to be on . . . guard against false prophets. They claim to speak for God, but they’re liars. They come camouflaged, looking like sheep when they’re actually wolves (Matthew 7:15). He emphasizes that they can be identified by their "fruit" (Matthew 7:16). If a tree is healthy, it will produce good fruit. If the fruit is bad, it’s because the tree itself is bad (Matthew 7:17-18).
The lesson here is that you need to examine the evidence of a teacher’s life and ministry. Is that person’s teaching and doctrine consistent with God’s Word? Does his lifestyle display holiness and love for the Lord? If either answer is no, don’t be deceived. Watch out for the counterfeit. This means examining their teachings, their character, and the impact of their ministry. Are they leading people closer to Christ, or are they promoting self-serving agendas?
True Discipleship (Matthew 7:21-23)
Jesus clarifies that mere words are not enough. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Someone can call Jesus, Lord, Lord, and have a ministry that appears to be authentic (Matthew 7:21-22). Nevertheless, a lack of good fruit will expose them. The King of kings will thus respond, Depart from me, you lawbreakers (Matthew 7:23).
This passage emphasizes the importance of obedience and genuine faith that translates into action. It's not enough to simply profess belief; we must actively live out our faith by doing the will of God.
Building on a Solid Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27)
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with an analogy of two builders: one wise and one foolish. The wise builder builds his house on rock, while the foolish builder builds on sand. When the storm comes, the house built on rock stands firm, while the house built on sand collapses (Matthew 7:24-27).
I once had a crack on a wall of my house. No matter how many times I had it fixed, the crack came back. Finally, I learned the problem wasn’t with the wall; the problem was a shifting foundation. Many of us have “cracks” in our lives—emotional, relational, financial—but we address the symptoms and not the source of the problem.
Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount with a story about two men who had three things in common. Each man built a house (7:24, 26); both heard the words of Jesus (7:24, 26); and both encountered a violent storm (7:25, 27). That’s where the similarities end and the contrast begins. One of these men was wise and the other foolish. Wisdom is the ability and willingness to apply spiritual truth to life’s circumstances. In contrast, foolishness is the inability and unwillingness to apply spiritual truth to life’s realities.
The wise man heard Jesus’s words and acted on them—that is, he built on a foundation of rock (7:24-25). To do so is harder and more time consuming. The fool built on sand. This is easier, cheaper, and faster to do. But the choice of approaches raises a question: How long do you want your house to stand? You cannot build a skyscraper life on a chicken coop’s foundation. If you want stability in your personal life, your family, your ministry, and your community, you need the strong, sturdy foundation of God’s Word—which includes both knowledge of the Bible and applying it to life.
The storm revealed which man was wise and which one was foolish. The trials of life will expose what your foundation is made of. This powerful illustration emphasizes the importance of grounding our lives in the teachings of Christ. Hearing the word is not enough; we must also put it into practice.
The Authority of Jesus' Teaching (Matthew 7:28-29)
The crowds were astonished by Jesus' teaching because "he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:29). The Jewish scribes had their traditions and opinions, but Jesus spoke with the authority of the voice of God. And we have his words in the Bible. Jesus spoke with a directness and conviction that resonated with the people, setting Him apart from the religious leaders of His time.
Conclusion
Matthew 7 provides invaluable guidance for navigating the complexities of life as a follower of Christ. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, extend grace to others, seek God in prayer, and build our lives on the firm foundation of His Word. By embracing these principles, we can live lives that are pleasing to God, impactful in the world, and able to withstand the storms that inevitably come our way.