Lessons from the King: Judging Others

 Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t commit—not because of hard evidence, but because a computer said you were guilty. That’s what happened to Jason Vernau, a medical entrepreneur who spent three days in jail after being falsely accused of check fraud. AI-driven facial recognition software flagged him as a match for a bank customer involved in fraud. The twist? Jason was at the bank that day—but only to deposit a legitimate check. The technology made a hasty connection, and the investigators ran with it, failing to dig deeper or consider the full story.

“This is your investigative work?” Vernau asked in disbelief. “You have a picture of me at a bank and that’s your proof? Where’s my fingerprints on the check? Where’s my signature?” The charges were eventually dropped, but the damage was done—all because of flawed judgment based on incomplete information.

Too often, we’re not so different. We jump to conclusions and pass judgment on others without knowing the whole picture. But as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus calls us to something better—a righteousness that reflects humility, love, and mercy rather than condemnation.

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A Kingdom Heart

In our series Lessons from the King, we’re diving into the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches us what it means to live as citizens of His Kingdom. Early in this sermon, He sets the bar high:

“Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” (Matthew 5:20, NLT).

The Pharisees’ righteousness was all about rules, appearances, and exclusion. Jesus, however, calls us to a righteousness that flows from the heart—a transformed desire and will, rooted in allegiance to Him as our King. That’s where true change begins.

Today’s lesson from Matthew 7:1-7 challenges us to reject the judgmental spirit of the Pharisees and embrace Kingdom values instead. To understand this, let’s look at how Jesus critiqued the Pharisees in Matthew 23:2-4, 13. He condemned their hypocrisy—they burdened people with rules, judged them harshly, and declared them unfit for God’s Kingdom, all while refusing to lift a finger to help.

Kingdom citizens, Jesus says, must be different. Our righteousness is built on humility, mercy, and love.

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Do Not Judge—Or Do We?

“Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1-2) is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible—and often misunderstood. At first glance, it might seem like Jesus is telling us to avoid all moral discernment. But context is key. Just a few verses later, in Matthew 7:6 and 15, He instructs us to discern wisely—about who we share the Gospel with and how we identify false prophets.

So what does He mean?

Jesus isn’t forbidding us from recognizing right and wrong. He’s warning against the kind of judgment the Pharisees practiced—condemning others and shutting them out of God’s Kingdom. That’s not our job.

When we rush to condemn, we risk two consequences:

1. The standard we use on others will be turned back on us—by people and ultimately by God. If we refuse to forgive, we won’t be forgiven.
2. We’re stepping into a role reserved for God alone, who sees the full story of every heart.

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Start with Yourself

Jesus drives this home with a vivid, almost comical image:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-5).

It’s ridiculous to imagine someone with a log sticking out of their eye trying to help someone else with a tiny speck. Yet that’s what we do when we judge others without examining ourselves first.

This isn’t about ignoring sin in others. It’s about humility—recognizing that we only see a fraction of their story while knowing our own flaws all too well. The Pharisees acted righteous without being righteous, condemning others while ignoring their own hypocrisy.

Jesus calls us to confess our sins, turn to God, and approach others with mercy. Only then can we offer help rather than judgment, pointing people to Jesus with love.

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Wise Discernment, Not Blind Acceptance

Lest we think Jesus wants us to throw caution to the wind, He adds:

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6).

Here, He calls for discernment. Dogs and pigs were unclean animals in Jewish culture, often symbols for those hostile to God’s ways. Jesus isn’t saying we should write people off lightly—He’s teaching us to focus our efforts wisely.

If someone has shown contempt for the Gospel, rejecting Jesus outright, we shouldn’t waste energy forcing it on them. They might “turn and tear you apart,” derailing our mission to share God’s love with those who are open.

This is why Jesus taught in parables: they revealed who was truly seeking God and who wasn’t. Our job is to share what’s holy with the receptive and pray for those who resist, trusting God to work in their hearts.

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Living as Kingdom Citizens

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” might be famous in our culture, often wielded as a shield for bad behavior. But Jesus isn’t endorsing blind acceptance. He’s calling us to rise above the Pharisees’ condemnation and embody Kingdom values.

We’re to be humble, knowing we’re sinners saved by grace.
We’re to be merciful, offering help rather than exclusion.
And we’re to be discerning, focusing on those open to God’s truth while praying for His enemies.

The big idea is this: Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven don’t condemn but show humility, love, and mercy to others.

It’s tempting to judge—especially when we hold God’s Word and see where others fall short. But Kingdom citizens realize God has been merciful to us, and we’re called to extend that grace to others.

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A Challenge and a Prayer

When the urge to judge strikes, hit pause and pray. As Scot McKnight puts it, “We are to conclude ‘that is wrong’ and ‘that is good,’ but we must not pronounce ‘you are condemned by God.’”

We’re citizens of the Kingdom, not the King. Only He knows the heart.

So today, thank God for Jesus, who makes us part of His Kingdom. Ask Him for wisdom to examine your own life first. And pray for someone who needs His forgiveness—maybe even someone you’ve been tempted to judge.

Let’s live out the righteousness of the Kingdom, reflecting our King’s heart in all we do.

Sunday Prayer: Don’t Judge

"Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use." — Matthew 7:1-2 (CSB)

Heavenly Father,

You see every heart, and Your judgment is perfect. I come before You asking for help with the words of Jesus in Matthew 7: “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.” Lord, I confess it’s easy to point fingers, to measure others by my own flawed standards. Forgive me for the times I’ve condemned instead of loved, for when I’ve been quick to criticize without grace.

Give me wisdom, God, to see people as You do—to judge rightly when I must, with humility and truth, not pride or harshness. Let me remember that the measure I use will come back to me, and soften my heart to reflect Your mercy instead. Help me to leave room for Your justice and to trust You with what I can’t fix.

Thank You for Your forgiveness that covers my failures. Teach me to extend that same forgiveness to others, so I can live free from bitterness and full of Your peace.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Choices that Shape Us

As human beings, our choices shape and form us into the people we are. With every decision, we are not just acting; we are becoming. This is why it is crucial to have high expectations for the younger generation and to encourage them to make choices that lead to maturity and responsibility. For Christians, this is especially significant, as we are called to become a different kind of people—a people who reflect the character of Christ.

The Apostle Paul reminds us of this transformative journey in Colossians 3:1-4, where he urges us to set our minds on heavenly things rather than earthly things. Similarly, in Galatians 5:16-26, he calls us to walk by the Spirit, not by the flesh. This walk involves living humbly, putting others ahead of ourselves, as seen in Philippians 2:1-11. These are not just isolated commands but reflections of the characteristics of Kingdom people—people who embody the values of God’s Kingdom.

Greg Boyd, in his book Satan and the Problem of Evil, offers an insightful perspective on this idea. He writes:

“Moral culpability is not just about people acting certain ways when they could have and should have acted differently. It’s more about people becoming certain kinds of people when they could have and should have become different kinds of people” (p. 122).

This quote challenges us to think beyond actions and behaviors and instead focus on identity and transformation. The Gospel calls us not just to do good but to become good—to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and hearts (Romans 12:2). As Christians, we are called to encourage others to become different kinds of people, ones who are shaped by the power of the Gospel and reflect Christ in all they do.

The Path to Becoming Kingdom People

How do we help others on this journey of becoming people who represent King Jesus in all that we say and do? Here are three key steps:

1. Proclaim the Way of Redemption
   Transformation begins with Jesus. As Paul writes in Romans 5:6-11, it is through God’s love and intervention that we are saved. Without God’s grace, we would have no hope. The message of redemption is central to becoming Kingdom people. By pointing others to Jesus and His sacrifice, we help them understand that real change starts with faith in Him.

2. Pray for Transformation
   The Apostle Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 is a model for us. He prays that believers would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and spiritual wisdom, so they might live lives worthy of the Lord. Our prayers for those we influence can have a powerful impact. Through prayer, we invite God to work in their lives, guiding them to become people who honor Him.

3. Provide Tools for Training in Godliness
   Transformation requires discipline. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Train yourself for godliness.” Spiritual disciplines such as meditation, prayer, worship, service, fasting, solitude, and celebration are tools that help us train our bodies and minds to resist the pull of the flesh and follow the Spirit. Teaching others these disciplines equips them to grow in their faith and character.

A Life of Becoming

Each of us is in the process of becoming. We are either growing more fit for God’s Kingdom or becoming more aligned with the kingdom of darkness. Our choices play a pivotal role in this process. As Christians, we have the responsibility to encourage and guide others toward making choices that reflect the character of Christ. By proclaiming the Gospel, praying for transformation, and teaching spiritual disciplines, we can help others become Kingdom people who shine as lights in the world.

Let us remember that our calling is not just to act differently but to be different—to become the kind of people who embody the love, humility, and holiness of Christ. This is the essence of our faith and the heart of our mission as followers of Jesus.

3 Actions for Making Wise Decisions

Our lives are shaped by the choices we make. Big decisions—like whether to marry or pursue a career—often steal the spotlight, but it’s the small, everyday choices that quietly steer our course. Together, these decisions—grand and mundane—form the map of our existence. Since every choice matters, we need a reliable foundation for making wise ones. Thankfully, Scripture offers exactly that.

Jesus teaches this truth vividly in Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT):

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Here, Jesus ties wisdom to a life rooted in His words—a foundation strong enough to weather any storm. This echoes His Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23, where the “good soil” represents those who hear, understand, and bear fruit from God’s Word. The entire Bible, as the voice of Jesus, provides the wisdom we need for decision-making. But how do we build this foundation? From Jesus’ teachings, we can distill three essential actions: Listen, Believe, and Change.

1. Listen to Jesus

Listening isn’t passive hearing—it’s an active choice. We all hear the noise of life with functioning ears, but listening means tuning out distractions to focus on what matters. In Matthew 13:9, Jesus urges, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Reading the Bible isn’t enough; we must approach it eager to grasp God’s intent and apply it to our lives. Like the disciples who sought clarity on the parable (Matthew 13:10), we should dig into Scripture with purpose, asking: What is God saying, and how does it shape my choices today?

2. Believe Jesus

Listening alone doesn’t build the foundation—belief brings it to life. In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus explains that only the “good soil” truly receives the Word, understanding and trusting it. The foolish hear Jesus but dismiss Him—unconvinced of His identity as God’s Son or the truth of His words. Without belief, His teaching stays theoretical, never touching their decisions. The wise, however, trust Jesus fully. They see Him as the cornerstone of truth, and this faith guides their choices. Belief turns words on a page into a living compass for life’s big and small moments.

3. Change the Way We Live

Belief demands action. In Matthew 7, the wise don’t just hear—they obey. In Matthew 13:23, the good soil “produces a crop”—fruitful change that proves trust in Jesus. This step is where faith gets real: adjusting our lives to align with His will, even when it clashes with the world’s ways. The foolish hear but stay unchanged, like seed choked by thorns (Matthew 13:22)—distracted by worries or wealth. The wise let Jesus’ words reshape their priorities, habits, and decisions. Change shouts our trust louder than words ever could.

Living It Out

Every day, we face a barrage of choices—some snap decisions, others weighty deliberations. In our fast-paced world, we rarely have time to mull every option. That’s why a solid foundation matters. By listening to Jesus, believing His truth, and changing our lives to match it, we root ourselves in God’s Word. This isn’t just theory—it’s practical wisdom for navigating life.

Without this bedrock, we’re tossed by the shifting winds of culture and circumstance. With it, we stand firm, no matter the storm. The Parable of the Sower reminds us that God’s Word is a seed with transformative power—but only if we’re good soil. So, what kind of soil are you? The choice to listen, believe, and change starts today—and it’s a decision that shapes all the rest.