The Difference Between Good Judgment and Being Judgmental | Matt Brown | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Difference Between Good Judgment and Being Judgmental

Sandals Church • Jun 8, 2025 • 38 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Matt Brown examines Jesus' teaching on judgment and spiritual discernment in Matthew 7. Believers are called to develop sound judgment and spiritual maturity through God's Word without falling into hypercritical judgmentalism toward others. True discernment begins with honest self-examination—removing the plank from our own eye so we can see clearly enough to genuinely help those around us.

Themes

Spiritual DiscernmentGood Judgment vs Being JudgmentalSelf-ExaminationSpiritual MaturityWisdom in Communication

Pastor's Points

1.

To develop discernment, I must be careful when it comes to judging people.

2.

To develop discernment, I must learn God's standards of right and wrong.

3.

To develop discernment, I must be able to see myself accurately.

4.

To develop discernment, I must identify people who are not interested in the truth.

Key Points

1.
To develop discernment, I must be careful when it comes to judging people.
2.
To develop discernment, I must learn God's standards of right and wrong.
3.
To develop discernment, I must be able to see myself accurately.
4.
To develop discernment, I must identify people who are not interested in the truth.
5.
Jesus teaches that the standard we use when judging others is the exact standard God will use to judge us on judgment day.
6.
Discerning truth requires carefully evaluating circumstances rather than jumping to conclusions based on initial impressions or emotional stories, because tears do not equate to truth.
7.
Believers must grow beyond spiritual milk and engage with God's Word like solid food, training their minds to distinguish between good and bad.
8.

Sermon Moments

“Tears do not communicate truth... sometimes liars are good criers.”

“Discernment is having good judgment as a person but not being judgmental about people.”

“The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

“Anyone who lives on milk cannot understand the teaching about being right with God. He is a baby. It's time to eat some steak.”

“If we're not careful, we can be so focused on the minute sins of others that we miss the plank in our own eye. You've lost your sensitivity to personal sin.”

“Where do our eyes point? Out. They don't look in. I need spiritual community to help me see my blind spots.”

“We are called to build bridges, not barriers.”

“If you're arguing with a fool, guess what? You are a fool. Don't waste your breath on fools.”

This Week

Evaluate how you judge others this week, remembering that God will measure you with the standard you use for others.

Refrain from making immediate judgments based on the first story you hear, taking time to carefully evaluate the full situation.

Commit to moving past "spiritual milk" by regularly reading and engaging God's Word to train your mind in discernment.

Practice honest self-examination, asking God to reveal any unaddressed sin or "logs" in your own life before trying to correct someone else.

Invite trusted Christian believers into your life to help you identify spiritual blind spots, past wounds, or hidden motives.

Guard your sacred time and peace by avoiding foolish online arguments or hostile debates with people who despise wise counsel.

Protect your clarity of mind by avoiding habits or substances that impair your god-given moral judgment.

Remember This

Spiritual discernment requires us to cultivate good judgment and practice honest self-examination without harboring a judgmental attitude toward others.

A Challenge for You

Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you wisdom and spiritual discernment, opening your eyes to God's truth while helping you share your faith respectfully when people's hearts are ready.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.