Matthew 7

Written on 05/09/2024

Verses 1-5

  • Wrongfully judging others is about accusing them of wrong or criticizing them on the basis of a personal opinion or preference rather than truth (James 4:11-12, Romans 14:3-4,13). Don't force opinions on anyone. Speak only the truth.

    • Also don't be harsh on people (showing no mercy). This means God will be harsh on you (James 2:13). How you treat others will determine how God treats you on the day of judgment.

  • It is ok to correct a person for some sin in their life, as long as you do it with love. This is a healthy form of judgment.

    • Just make sure that you are correcting yourself before you try to correct someone else.

 

Verse 6

  • Don't share the Word with a person that despises the Word. This will only cause them to resent you (Proverbs 9:7-8).

    • However, you may share wisdom from the Word without saying it's from the Word. This is an acceptable alternative that can work well!

 

Verses 7-12

  • It is always good to pray and to ask God for what you need or desire. Asking and seeking is what allows us to receive. Always ask, pray, and seek God for things!

    • God gives simply because He is loving!

  • Just like God is good, be good to others. Be kind and loving to others if you want the same shown to yourself. 

    • Being good and loving to others sums up the whole Bible! (Galatians 5:13-14).

 

Verses 13-14

  • Few people are saved because following Christ is not easy or popular. It is hard on the sinful flesh to obey Christ. 

    • Therefore, choose what's hard by choosing to obey the Word. This will always lead to good things. Believers sacrifice what's easy to gain Christ!

 

Verses 15-21

  • You can know whether a person is a believer—or a good tree—by looking at their actions (Do they show fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22). A person's actions reveal the person (1 John 3:6-10). 

    • Also look at what a person talks about most (Matthew 12:33-35). A believer will want to talk about the Word and Christ! This is also good fruit.

  • Remember that no one is saved just because they say that Jesus is their Lord. Only those who actually obey the Word are saved, because they show that Jesus is truly their Lord.

 

Verses 22-23

  • There will be people on the day of judgment who were believers at one point, and even did miracles for Christ! But they fell away, denied their faith, and practiced sin again; and their history won't save them.

    • To be saved by believing in Jesus, one must stay believing in Jesus!

  • There will also be people that did miracles through demonic power, tricking people by using Jesus' name, but this won't work against God. For their sins they will be condemned.

    • Understand that Satan and demons can perform miracles! Don't be led by experiences, prophecies, miracles...be led by what the Word says. Period.

 

Verses 24-27

  • If you want to stay strong in your faith, don't just read or listen to Scripture. You have to obey it also!

    • Hearing but not obeying the Word will lead to bad things.

 

Verses 28-29

  • Teaching that is confident and rooted in Scripture has power to greatly influence people.

    • If you're going to influence people, do your best to speak from the Word only, to be obedient to Word in your example, and to be confident in what you're saying!