Kingdom Living: Discernment in Faith (Ep 125)

Introduction and Welcome

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Jason: Thank you for listening and welcome to the podcast. I'm your host, Jason McConnell. In this episode of the Kingdom Living Series, we'll be diving deeper into Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. And today we've arrived at Matthew seven verses one through 14, a passage that stirs conviction, invites humility, and points us to the heart of God.

This chapter begins with one of the most quoted and often misunderstood verses in the Bible. Do not judge, or you too will be judged for. In the same way you judge others, you'll be judged and with the measurement you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew seven verses one and two. But Jesus isn't telling us to turn off our discernment.

He's calling us to avoid self-righteousness. He's teaching us that kingdom discernment is never about condemning others. It's about walking humbly before God and treating others with the same mercy we ourselves have received. Throughout this section of scripture, Jesus is drawing a line between those who lean on their own understanding and those who trust the Lord to guide their steps.

Which reminds me of Proverbs three verses five and six, where it says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, and all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. So as we walk through today's episode, let's lay down the need to control, correct or compare, and instead submit to the wisdom of God who knows our hearts and lovingly calls us towards.

The narrow path that leads to life. Let's explore what it means to judge rightly. Seek persistently and follow faithfully.

Understanding 'Judge Not'

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Jason: Jesus begins this portion of a sermon with the warning that I mentioned in the introduction. Judge not, or you two will be judged for in the same way you judge others, you'll be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you again.

Matthew seven verses one and two. Jesus is moving us over. From interior, spiritual life, the attitudes in giving, prayer, fasting, materialism and anxiety towards how we think about and treat others. Back in Matthew five 20, Jesus called us to a righteousness greater than the scribes and the Pharisees. And let's be honest, sometimes the way to make ourselves feel more righteous is to be a little critical of others.

A lot of people take this verse out of context, suggesting that we're supposed to just accept any lifestyle or teaching of others, and that's not what Jesus is saying here. He's not asking us to ignore sin or abandon discernment, but he is calling us to something a little deeper, knowing ourselves and others by the fruits of our lives.

This command gets broken when we think the worst of others, when we only speak of their faults or judge a person's entire life by one single bad moment. We also break this command when we judge the hidden motives of others fail to consider ourselves in their circumstances and fail to be mindful that we ourselves will be judged so Jesus isn't condemning.

Or prohibiting judgment of others. He's just asking us to judge others fairly and only by a standard that we would also like to be judged. Then he illustrates this in a verse. I'm sure we've probably all heard, if you've been reading the Bible, it's uh, verses three and four of Matthew seven. 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?

How can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye. When all the time there's a plank in your own eye. I mean, let that visual sink in for a moment. A person so obsessed with a tiny, small little flaw in someone else's life that they fail to notice this massive blinding beam sticking out of their own eye.

I mean, it's almost comical, but Jesus isn't joking. This is a rebuke. Jesus is exaggerating to make his message easier to understand and more impactful. I mean, just imagine a man with a board sticking outta his eye. I don't know about you, but I can't think about that without being a little amused by the imagery.

But then in verse five, he calls it what it is, you hypocrite First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you'll see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Now, understand. This isn't a call to remain silent about sin. It's a call to humble self-examination before, before ever approaching someone else.

Jesus isn't saying we shouldn't help our brothers with the speck in their eye, but not before dealing with that massive plank in our own. It's about dealing with our own brokenness first so that when we do speak into someone else's life, it's not from a pedestal. But from a posture of grace and clarity and, and maybe a little understanding, apostle Paul echoes this same truth in Romans 14 verse 10.

You then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Why do you treat them with contempt? For We all will stand before God's judgment seat. Look, we all have a blind spot. We, we all have struggles and we need God's mercy. So when we engage in correction or conversation, humility has to lead the way. And this is why Galatians six verse one reminds us, brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the spirit should restore that person gently.

But watch yourselves or you also may be tempted. I mean, this idea of restoring gently, I think that that's the key here. The goal isn't to punish it's, it's to heal. To bring healing, we must approach others, not as judges, but as fellow travelers on this journey towards holiness. As I mentioned, Jesus isn't forbidding judgment altogether.

He's just, he's just redefining it. He's calling us to judge with discernment and compassion, not superiority. John 7 24 puts it, I'll say plainly, stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. That's interesting. How do we do that? How do we judge correctly in a world full of assumptions, appearances, and quick conclusions?

First, we check our motives. You gotta check yourself. We are speaking. Are we speaking truth out of love or out of some form of pride? Second, we, we deal with our own sin first. Nothing clarifies your view of someone else's struggle, like being honest about your own. It's why people who have overcome drug and alcohol addictions are great mentors for people who are trying to overcome drug and alcohol addictions.

They've been there, they've gotten the plank out of their eye, and now they're ready to help you. So third, we, we seek to restore, not con, not condemnation. Restoration, not condemnation. This is the heart of the gospel. God's kindness leads us to repentance. See Romans two, verse four. Shouldn't ours do the same?

So here's the invitation from Jesus. Lay down the gavel, pick up the mirror. Examine your own heart, and when you are ready, speak truth with tenderness. Not as one who stands above, but as one who stands beside. That's the kind of discernment the kingdom is calling for. Truth wrapped in grace. Correction, clothed in compassion.

Because when we get that right, we're reflecting the heart of the king. Alright, so right after Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, he gives us a proverb that at first glance can seem a little out of place, maybe even, maybe even a little harsh in Matthew seven verse six. Do not give dogs what is sacred.

Sacred Things and Discernment

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Jason: Do not throw your pearls to the pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces. Wow. What's Jesus saying here? Isn't this a contradiction to judge? Not, I mean, no, it's not. Actually. It's not at all. This verse is not about condemnation. It's really about discernment.

Jesus is shifting the focus from judging people to wisely navigating how and when we share a spiritual truth. In biblical times, dogs were not the pampered pets we know today. They were scavengers, dirty, wild, and dangerous Pigs, especially in Jewish culture, symbolized unc cleanliness that we were devoid them altogether.

This imagery represents those who are hostile towards the kingdom of God and the message that it announces. We should love others, absolutely. But loving others doesn't mean we need to engage with those who, whose hearts are hardened and they reject the good news of the kingdom. I mean, basically Jesus uses this vivid imagery to make a simple but important point.

Sacred things deserve sacred handling. Truth is precious like pearls, as is the gentle correction of a brother or sister. Not everyone will receive it with reverence. Now, this doesn't mean we write people off or deem them unworthy of the gospel. Rather, it means we have to be spiritually aware. We need wisdom to know when to share, how to share and when to remain silent.

As Proverbs nine verse eight reminds us, do not rebuke mocks, or they will hate you, rebuke the wise and they will love you. Interesting, right? Let's bring this into real life. Imagine you're sharing your faith with, uh, a friend who's going through a crisis. You speak lovingly, offer prayer and share scripture, but they scoff, they mock your words, and they grow increasingly hostile.

And that's when you need to take a pause because, not because you've failed, but because you've honored truth, you've cast the seed, and now it's time to let God do the watering. There are times to speak boldly and times to be patient. Even Jesus in Luke 23 verse nine stood silent before Herod. He knew that some hearts were not ready, not because they were beyond hope or beyond redemption, but because the timing just wasn't right.

So how do we apply this? First, I'd suggest you pray for discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you when to speak and when to stay silent. Pay attention to the fruits. Is the conversation, opening hearts or hardening them because we can have an impact there too and be okay with limits. Jesus didn't chase every crowd he walked in.

Step with the father's will be okay with limits. Kingdom living means being led by God's spirit, not just in what we say, but when and to whom we say it. There's a time for testimony and there's a time for trust. Trusting that God will open the heart in his perfect timing. Discernment isn't retreat. It's wisdom.

It's recognizing that truth is holy, and it deserves to be shared with reverence, not thrown carelessly into places where it will be trampled or even weaponized. So let's speak with boldness, but also with care. Let's honor truth by sharing it with spiritual wisdom guided by grace. So as we move deeper into the Sermon on the Mount, we come to one of the most encouraging and, and tender promises in all of scripture.

Ask, Seek, Knock - The Power of Prayer

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Jason: In my humble opinion, Matthew seven verses seven and eight Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks, receives the one who seeks, finds, and the one who knocks the door will be opened. Now, these aren't just. Idol suggestions. It's not just platitudes.

Jesus is urging us into a life of persistent prayer, not a one time request, but an ongoing posture of seeking, asking, and knocking. This repetition tells us something important. God welcomes our persistence, not because he needs convincing, but because our persistence shows we trust his character. In verse nine and 11, Jesus dives drives his point home with this beautiful comparison.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if you ask for a fish, we'll give him a snake. 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? I want you to let that sink in. How much more will your father in heaven give good gifts?

We don't pray because we're trying to pry blessings from a closed hand. We pray because we know we are approaching a loving father who delights in giving what is good. Lemme say that again. We have a loving father who delights in giving what is good. That's not what, not always what we want, what is good.

And when our hearts are aligned with his will, our prayers are not asking for a bunch of things. They're expressing our relationship with them. Think of it this way, when a child repeatedly asks their parents for help, they're not wearing them down. They're demonstrating trust. They're saying, I believe you can help me.

I believe you care enough to help me, and I am depending on you. And this is echoed in Jeremiah 29 13, where God says, you'll seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Man, when we pursue God with that kind of wholehearted devotion, we don't just find answers. We find him and he's the greatest gift of all.

But let's be honest, sometimes we ask and we, we don't get an answer. It doesn't come quickly enough. Maybe sometimes we knock and the door stays closed, at least for a little while. In these moments, Jesus reminds us to keep going. Why? Because prayer isn't about outcomes. It's about drawing near to the father.

James one verse five speaks this beautifully. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should go ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you. God isn't reluctant. He's generous. He's not keeping score. He's ready to respond, but his responses are always rooted in his wisdom and his love and his timing.

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So what does this mean for us? It means we don't stop praying for our prodigal children. We don't stop seeking God in in the dry seasons. We don't stop knocking on the door of heaven. When life feels closed off. Your father hears. He knows and he loves to respond, and it's not always how we expect, but it's always for our good.

This passage invites us into a rhythm of relentless trust. It teaches us that prayer isn't about controlling the outcomes or getting responses. It's about surrendering our hearts to the one who already knows what we need and loves us more than we could ever imagine. So keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking because your father is good and he's not just listening.

The Golden Rule

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Jason: He's there. He's near. He's with you. As Jesus continues to build this foundation of kingdom living, he delivers a statement that is so simple, yet so profound that it captures the heart of Godly relationships in one breath. So in everything due to others, what you would want them to do to you. For this sums up the law and the prophets.

Matthew seven, verse 12. I mean, this isn't good advice. This is Kingdom Commandments. And Jesus isn't saying this in isolation. He's summarizing everything the law taught about how people are to treat one another. Love your neighbor. Care for the poor. Be honest, show compassion. All of it's wrapped up in this one golden rule.

You've probably heard of the golden rule. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. I just use the NIV version, but treat others the way you wanna be treated. It's that simple. In Luke's gospel, it's put even more directly due to others as you would have them do to you. There's the simple one, Luke 6 31.

So let's, let's talk practicality. What does this look like in today's world? It looks like grace in your workplace when a coworker drops the ball and now your instinct is to criticize, you're upset 'cause you have more work. It looks like mercy in your home when your spouse or your children fall short of your expectations.

It looks like respect online, especially when someone disagrees with you. The golden rule doesn't just apply in the easy moments. It's most important when, when it's hardest to live out. And this call to relational integrity echoes the Apostle Paul's words in Philippians two, verses three and four. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather in humility.

Value others above yourself. Not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interest of others. Imagine what it would look like in a world where everybody looked out for everyone else. I mean, this goes beyond just good manners. It is radical counter-cultural, and it's rooted in humility. That's the kinda love that puts people before pride and compassion before convenience.

Notice what Jesus says in Matthew seven 12. In everything, not just in church, not just with friends, not just with when it's reciprocated, in everything on the road, at the grocery store, in the tense, family conversations, Thanksgiving dinners, even with your enemies. And here's why this matters. How we treat others reveals the kingdom we serve.

The world teaches self-preservation. Jesus teaches self-giving love. This one rule, this golden and eternal rule becomes the measuring stick for how we carry his heart into this world. So today I'd like you to consider how you would want to be treated in any given situation that you find yourself in what tone, in what movement, or what in what moment.

Let that guide your actions, soften your responses, and shape your relationships because this isn't just nice. It's our way, it's the kingdom way. So Jesus is nearing the conclusion of the sermon on the mound. And, and as he does so, he presents kind of a sobering image, a fork in the road, if you will. Two gates, two paths, two destinations.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

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Jason: I want you to check out Matthew seven verses 13 and 14. Enter through the narrow gate for why does the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But as, but small is the gate and narrow is a road that leads to life and only a few will find it. Now, these verses are, are an invitation as well as a warning.

The imagery is, I mean, it's pretty clear. One path is wide. It's easy to find. It's big and wide. It, you can walk through it. It's well traveled, but this path leads to destruction. The other one, however, is narrow. It's less traveled. It's more difficult to find the path leads to life, though the life that we need.

The eternal life. And let's talk about that wide road first. It's, it's the default setting for this world. If you were to reset the world. That's the default setting, little tech, tech humor there. It's popular, comfortable, full of options, right? It, it's where crowds, the crowd is going. Where culture is celebrated.

Self-expression is celebrated without any accountability. It requires no change, no surrender, and no sacrifice. But Jesus is telling us very simply, the end of that road is, it's not good, it's destruction. Now contrast that with the narrow path. It's a road that requires intention. You have to go look for it.

You have to find it. It's not about earning salvation, but about surrendering your will to the reign of Christ. It's not always comfortable. It's not always applauded, but it leads to life true, eternal and abundant life. D Carson, a Canadian evangelical theologian, wrote the follow. Jesus is not encouraging committed disciples or Christians to press on along the narrow way and be rewarded in the end.

He is rather commanding his disciples to enter the way marked by persecution and rewarded in the end. The psalmist in Psalms one verse six, puts it this way, for the Lord, watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. It's the same two paths. One leading to life under God's watchful care.

The other leading away from him. Jesus knew we would feel the pull of that crowd, that popularity, that culture. He knew that culture would pressure us to conform and it, it might be overwhelming and that's why he calls us to, to courageous obedience even when it costs us friendships, comfort, maybe even our reputation.

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Just my Greek is terrible. In other words, this is not a casual thing. It's, it's a, it's a striving, a spiritual perseverance, not because God is making it hard, but because we are so easily distracted and pulled towards the worldly road. And let's be honest, the wide road feels good for a while. It promises freedom, pleasure, even affirmation, but in the end, it leads us away from our creator, the narrow road, however, even with all of its challenges, draws us closer to the heart of God.

That's where joy and love and hope lives. Following Jesus means making daily choices to swim upstream, to resist the pole of the crowd and, and walk and step with the spirit. It means saying no to compromise and yes to conviction. It means choosing faithfulness over applause, truth over comfort, obedience over ease.

But listen, my friends don't, don't miss this. The narrow road is not lonely. Jesus is on it, and those who walk it with him find strength, peace, and joy that, that the world could never offer. So which path do you wanna be on? Have you chosen the wide road of comfort and conformity, or the narrow way of Christ?

The wide gate is open to everyone, but at leads to ruin the narrow gate. It's also open to everyone, but it must be chosen, entered, and walked with intention. Not once, but every single day because the path of the kingdom living. It's not the easy road, but it's the only road that leads home.

Conclusion

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Jason: Jesus invites us to judge not with pride, but with humility, to share truth with wisdom, not recklessness, to pray with persistence, not as beggars, but as beloved children, to treat others with radical kindness even when it's not returned.

Ultimately to walk the narrow road that leads to life, no matter how difficult or how unpopular it may be. It all comes down to trust. Do we trust the goodness of our father? Do we trust that his ways through the narrow are better? Do we trust that when we seek him, we will find. Until next time, keep loving your neighbors.

Dive into God's word daily and may the Lord bless you and keep you and fill you with his peace. Take care of God bless, and I'll see you in the next episode.

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