Dharius Daniels - Please Don't Judge Me

Matthew chapter 7, verse 1 says this: «Do not judge, or you too will be judged; for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.» This ends the reading of God’s Word. Now, I want to talk from this subject; I’ve preached this four times using three different topics. Alright, I want to talk from this subject during our time together. We don’t do this a lot anymore, but today, just this one time, look at someone and tell them the topic of today’s sermon: «Please don’t judge me.» Please, I have enough of that going on already. I’m trying to get comfortable with myself; I don’t need anyone else adding to my burdens. Can anyone relate to being their own worst critic? I don’t need any more help with that.

It has been said that when the purpose of a thing is misunderstood, abuse is inevitable. In other words, when a person doesn’t accurately understand something, they will unintentionally misuse or abuse it. This cannot be the case with a device like an iPhone. I am not endorsing iPhones; I know we have some Samsung lovers here, and some of you might be old school with a Nokia. I see you; I understand. Whatever works for you! But this device was created for entertainment and communication. However, if you give it to a caveman who does not understand its purpose, he might misuse it or even use it to harm someone else—because when purpose is misunderstood, abuse is inevitable.

I could use this iPhone as a coaster for my cup, or as a doorstop to keep the door open, but just because it can be used that way doesn’t mean it should be. Whenever you find yourself in the hands of someone who does not understand your purpose, calling, and destiny, you will likely find yourself misused or abused. Anyone who is misusing you is someone who does not understand you. Am I making sense so far?

Just as this can happen with an iPhone, it can also occur with individuals. This can also be true for God’s ecclesia, God’s church. Ladies and gentlemen, when the purpose of the church is misunderstood, abuse becomes inevitable. Yes, pastor, spiritual abuse! One of the ways spiritual abuse expresses itself is through something called judging. Please don’t judge me. Judging—Jesus seems to take it seriously, doesn’t He? I mean, we just read His words in Matthew chapter 7, verse 1. No matter which Bible version we read—Hebrew, Greek, English, or any other—it doesn’t matter. Jesus clearly prohibits judging. Put it on the screen so they can see it, please. He says, «Do not judge.» And this is what follows: «Or you too will be judged.» In other words, He says don’t judge because there will come a day when you will need grace; and instead of receiving grace, you will receive judgment.

Is there anyone here at this 11:30 service who can admit, «I’ve gone through a season where things surfaced in me that I didn’t even know were still there»? I feel realness in this room. Is there anyone here who is honest enough to say, «I entered a season where I was under so much stress, so much pressure, so much anxiety that I started thinking thoughts I thought I had been delivered from? I even contemplated saying things to people that contradicted my values»? And Jesus says, «Don’t judge others without knowing their stories.» He says, «Do not judge, or you too will be judged.»

He prohibits judging for a reason: because judging is a spiritual weapon of mass destruction. It is an instrument of the enemy; it is not benign or harmless—it is cancerous. It kills joy, it kills peace, and it destroys people’s sense of self. It acts as an umbilical cord that keeps people tied to the womb of their past. It chains them to their old selves and inhibits their ability to evolve into new beings. When the Bible says, «If any man or woman be in Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,» you cannot step into the new you if someone is constantly reminding you of the old you. So Jesus says, «Do not judge.»

He directed these words in Matthew 7 toward religious leaders, called Pharisees, who diligently studied the Scriptures, prayed, and lived morally and ethically. He told them not to judge. Why? Because they were judging without realizing it. They weren’t trying to judge, but they were. They didn’t intend to pass judgment, but they did. Jesus tells them not to judge because judging represents bad religion, and bad religion is like bad food—it makes people sick. Am I making sense so far, Pastor Darius? Okay, I get that, but what does He mean when He says, «Do not judge»? Let’s define that.