Chapter 14
Jesus commands: Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets—He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father—Compare Matthew 7. About A.D. 34.
1 aAnd now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he turned again to the multitude, and did open his mouth unto them again, saying: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 aFor with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. At first He says, judge not, but that is followed with the caution that however we judge others, we'll be judged by that same standard...hence the safest thing for our own well being is to not judge others at all. What exactly does it mean "What measure ye mete"? One person said it means that whatever standard we use to "measure" or evaluate the word of God, that is how we will receive. So if you approach God's promises with a measure of doubt then you will get little. But if you measure His word with full faith, then that is what He will bless you with. A little faith brings a little blessing and a lot of faith brings a lot of blessings...it just depends on how you measure God's word. Considering Jesus said he came to save and not condemn, we might consider that judgment left to Him by way of His Atoning Sacrifice where he took upon himself the sins committed against us, removing the need for us to seek judgment. It is now between them and Him. This is a big part of what it means to "believe Christ". When we judge, we show lack of faith in Him and understanding about what the Atonement is for and how it works. We should mirror His desire, that what is given is the "best good" for that person. It could be mercy, it could be the consequences/penalties. Since we would always want mercy for ourselves, we should always desire that for others; that it would also be for their best good.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ALL sin keeps us out of God's presence. It makes no sense to condemn another for one sin when you have a different one of your own. Bumper sticker: "Please don't judge me because I sin differently than you". We refrain from judging not to condone sin, but to acknowledge our collective need to repent.
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? We should be saying, "Help me pull my beam out" and they say, "Sure, and will you help me with my mote?" Instead, we often use this teaching to protect our favorite sins and refusal to repent.
5 Thou ahypocrite, first cast the bbeam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye. The commandment to not judge is critical to our sanctification. Every judgment is temptation from an evil or unclean spirit that Satan has sworn, in his wrath, should possess our bodies. We are in too much unbelief about this reality. We dismiss these temptations and our belief in their lies as our own human nature and not the workings of the adversary. True, there is the "natural man" spoken of in Mosiah and the weakness of the flesh, but our eternal spirits are more than what we are able to express today. I think the "natural man" is just our untrained body coupled with an eternally trained spirit, covered by a veil of forgetfulness. We are here to train our bodies to be subject to our spirit and our spirit to be subject to the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and the will of the Father. Cast out the Spirit of Judgment every time it enters your mind. vs 1-5: We are commanded to stay out of judgment, which is such a human thing to do. We can't minister effectively, when we harbor pre-conceived notions about others. We don't see their hearts, nor who they truly are and what they were foreordained to be and do. We also make it harder for people to repent when we box them in with our mental mandates. Because Jesus says after we cast out the beam from our own eye we can see clearly to cast it out of our brother, it sounds like we can judge our brother if we satisfy the first condition. But...since we will never be perfect in this life, can we ever satisfy that condition? Or perhaps it pertains to a particular sin and not all sin...or He could be saying that if we repent of our own sin first we will have clearer vision about the sin of another and judge Him with compassion knowing how hard it is to really repent and change. A sister in GC told the story of a dog who had an unseen belly wound that was causing him to behave badly. The owner wasn't aware of the wound and was frustrated and angry with the dog. When he found the wound, he was ashamed. Often, people's misbehavior is due to an unseen wound and not a lack of desire. "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see"...
6 Give not that which is aholy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Interesting that we've just been told not to judge, but then right after that we are told this. Jesus seems to be comparing some people to dogs and swine. What do they represent? I know in biblical times swine were considered "unclean", but I don't know how dogs were viewed...one commentary says, "savage or snarling haters of truth and righteousness...neither cast ye your pearls before swine—the impure or coarse, who are incapable of appreciating the priceless jewels of Christianity." How do we judge that after being told not to judge? Perhaps the emphasis is not about who we should love, just who we should share 'holy' things with. With the gift of discernment and the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Lord can tell us who's hearts are ready for what we may have to share that is 'holy'. I have been guilty of this--sharing sacred experiences with the less-prepared, and it doesn't usually turn out well. I've found that when I minister, I have to meet that person where s/he is, and maybe, over time, I can share things of a little deeper significance, but I must listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
7 aAsk, and it shall be given unto you; bseek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. This might be saying that we get nothing until we ask, seek and knock. We have to initiate. Why is the order, "ask, seek, knock"? You would think "knock" would be first. What is the difference between knock and ask? The image of the veil of the temple comes to mind. It is at the end of the Endowment. Maybe we first ask what to ask. Then the Lord guides us as we seek, and finally, when we find, we approach the Lord and knock to receive more....
8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. We can also point others to the Lord for personal revelation. We should not feel the responsibility to share everything we know with everyone out of fear. The heavens are open and God speaks to man today. People receive according to their desires to ask. How many times is this repeated in scripture? A quick search showed at least 6 times in the D&C! The reverse of this is that if you don't ask, you won't receive. God does not usually intervene with information you don't ask for. Sometimes He does because other people are praying for it for you (like Alma's father). Don't discount our prayers on the behalf of others. The prayers of "the fathers" are the reason the Lamanites will receive a knowledge of the gospel again. I don't know if they will be praying for it at the time...
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? vs 7-11: I gather from this that Heavenly Father loves us so much and longs to give each one of us more and more, but He is respectful of us, and hopes that we will ask, and He will give, even more than the most doting parent can give. This teaching of asking and receiving is paramount in our lives today. Listen again to the words of the Lord's Prophet from 12:17-17:18 for confirmation of this reality:)
2 aFor with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. At first He says, judge not, but that is followed with the caution that however we judge others, we'll be judged by that same standard...hence the safest thing for our own well being is to not judge others at all. What exactly does it mean "What measure ye mete"? One person said it means that whatever standard we use to "measure" or evaluate the word of God, that is how we will receive. So if you approach God's promises with a measure of doubt then you will get little. But if you measure His word with full faith, then that is what He will bless you with. A little faith brings a little blessing and a lot of faith brings a lot of blessings...it just depends on how you measure God's word. Considering Jesus said he came to save and not condemn, we might consider that judgment left to Him by way of His Atoning Sacrifice where he took upon himself the sins committed against us, removing the need for us to seek judgment. It is now between them and Him. This is a big part of what it means to "believe Christ". When we judge, we show lack of faith in Him and understanding about what the Atonement is for and how it works. We should mirror His desire, that what is given is the "best good" for that person. It could be mercy, it could be the consequences/penalties. Since we would always want mercy for ourselves, we should always desire that for others; that it would also be for their best good.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ALL sin keeps us out of God's presence. It makes no sense to condemn another for one sin when you have a different one of your own. Bumper sticker: "Please don't judge me because I sin differently than you". We refrain from judging not to condone sin, but to acknowledge our collective need to repent.
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? We should be saying, "Help me pull my beam out" and they say, "Sure, and will you help me with my mote?" Instead, we often use this teaching to protect our favorite sins and refusal to repent.
5 Thou ahypocrite, first cast the bbeam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye. The commandment to not judge is critical to our sanctification. Every judgment is temptation from an evil or unclean spirit that Satan has sworn, in his wrath, should possess our bodies. We are in too much unbelief about this reality. We dismiss these temptations and our belief in their lies as our own human nature and not the workings of the adversary. True, there is the "natural man" spoken of in Mosiah and the weakness of the flesh, but our eternal spirits are more than what we are able to express today. I think the "natural man" is just our untrained body coupled with an eternally trained spirit, covered by a veil of forgetfulness. We are here to train our bodies to be subject to our spirit and our spirit to be subject to the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and the will of the Father. Cast out the Spirit of Judgment every time it enters your mind. vs 1-5: We are commanded to stay out of judgment, which is such a human thing to do. We can't minister effectively, when we harbor pre-conceived notions about others. We don't see their hearts, nor who they truly are and what they were foreordained to be and do. We also make it harder for people to repent when we box them in with our mental mandates. Because Jesus says after we cast out the beam from our own eye we can see clearly to cast it out of our brother, it sounds like we can judge our brother if we satisfy the first condition. But...since we will never be perfect in this life, can we ever satisfy that condition? Or perhaps it pertains to a particular sin and not all sin...or He could be saying that if we repent of our own sin first we will have clearer vision about the sin of another and judge Him with compassion knowing how hard it is to really repent and change. A sister in GC told the story of a dog who had an unseen belly wound that was causing him to behave badly. The owner wasn't aware of the wound and was frustrated and angry with the dog. When he found the wound, he was ashamed. Often, people's misbehavior is due to an unseen wound and not a lack of desire. "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see"...
6 Give not that which is aholy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Interesting that we've just been told not to judge, but then right after that we are told this. Jesus seems to be comparing some people to dogs and swine. What do they represent? I know in biblical times swine were considered "unclean", but I don't know how dogs were viewed...one commentary says, "savage or snarling haters of truth and righteousness...neither cast ye your pearls before swine—the impure or coarse, who are incapable of appreciating the priceless jewels of Christianity." How do we judge that after being told not to judge? Perhaps the emphasis is not about who we should love, just who we should share 'holy' things with. With the gift of discernment and the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Lord can tell us who's hearts are ready for what we may have to share that is 'holy'. I have been guilty of this--sharing sacred experiences with the less-prepared, and it doesn't usually turn out well. I've found that when I minister, I have to meet that person where s/he is, and maybe, over time, I can share things of a little deeper significance, but I must listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
7 aAsk, and it shall be given unto you; bseek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. This might be saying that we get nothing until we ask, seek and knock. We have to initiate. Why is the order, "ask, seek, knock"? You would think "knock" would be first. What is the difference between knock and ask? The image of the veil of the temple comes to mind. It is at the end of the Endowment. Maybe we first ask what to ask. Then the Lord guides us as we seek, and finally, when we find, we approach the Lord and knock to receive more....
8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. We can also point others to the Lord for personal revelation. We should not feel the responsibility to share everything we know with everyone out of fear. The heavens are open and God speaks to man today. People receive according to their desires to ask. How many times is this repeated in scripture? A quick search showed at least 6 times in the D&C! The reverse of this is that if you don't ask, you won't receive. God does not usually intervene with information you don't ask for. Sometimes He does because other people are praying for it for you (like Alma's father). Don't discount our prayers on the behalf of others. The prayers of "the fathers" are the reason the Lamanites will receive a knowledge of the gospel again. I don't know if they will be praying for it at the time...
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? vs 7-11: I gather from this that Heavenly Father loves us so much and longs to give each one of us more and more, but He is respectful of us, and hopes that we will ask, and He will give, even more than the most doting parent can give. This teaching of asking and receiving is paramount in our lives today. Listen again to the words of the Lord's Prophet from 12:17-17:18 for confirmation of this reality:)
12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, ado ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. This is such a great motto to live by (The Golden Rule) and can keep us out of judgment quicker than anything. We all want mercy. We all want forgiveness, patience, long-suffering, kindness, generosity, love and for people to assume the best of intentions from us. Why do we not treat others that way? Why are we so quick to assume the worst? Our 'stories' are such a hindrance from godliness! With that, knowing that Father is so generous, we should be kind and generous to our brothers and sisters on both sides of the veil.
13 Enter ye in at the astrait gate; for wide is the gate, and bbroad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
14 Because strait is the agate, and bnarrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and cfew there be that find it. This sounds like the scripture that says "it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous authority. Hence, many are called but few are chosen." So maybe it is pride that keeps us out of the narrow way. Under pride is fear. If we are to enter the strait gate we must live by faith. No fear. No pride. In reading this passage, I've always mentally substituted 'strait' for 'straight'-moving uniformly in one direction only. But, these passages took on a slightly enhanced meaning when I looked at the definition of 'strait'- 1-a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water; 2-used in reference to a situation characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty. Verse 14 agrees that "narrow is the way," and maybe because of the difficulty of it, "few there be that find it." I've always wondered if it is any kind of a reliable method to say that if "everyone is doing it" then it is probably wrong. I think this is generally true in the world at large. There is quote by McConkie where he says we will be safe if we stay in the mainstream of the church. I've always felt that was true until 2020 and also looked at Isaiah's prophecies for the last days. Now, if I fit in with the mainstream of the church I feel like I also am in the mainstream of the world and in the broad path. I think I read somewhere that "mainstream of the church" is referring to the doctrine...not the behavior of the members.
15 Beware of afalse prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their afruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every agood tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that abringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore, by their afruits ye shall know them. This whole comparison to trees and fruits should take us to the parable of the vineyard, which has deep implications for our day. This counsel to look at fruits is so important! Is this really and 'all or nothing' fruit thing? I have some good fruits and some bad fruits...does my bad fruit mean my whole self/tree is bad? Does this relate to the scripture that teaches if my good fruit isn't "charity" then it doesn't matter what my other good fruits are? This makes me want to seek/pray for that gift and to be Born Again, so that my "nature is changed and I have no more disposition to do evil."
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall aenter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will asay to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will aI profess unto them: I never bknew you; cdepart from me, ye that work iniquity. Again, I find it interesting that we are told we can know by someone's fruits if they are a false prophet, but then He lists some things that I would call 'fruits' (prophesying in Christ's name; casting out devils; doing many wonderful works) and says He never knew them. What are the fruits of a true disciple/prophet of Christ? Perhaps it is simply someone who does the will of the Father and not their own will. If people can prophesy, cast out devils and do wonderful works and still not be known by the Lord, then maybe they are doing them by their own power and cunning and for the praise of the world and not as directed by the Lord. Would a devil leave a person by a "casting out" that is not done in the name of the Lord? In our ministering, it is not so much what we do but why we do it. Duty is not the same as love. Being assigned is not the same as feeling entrusted. Look at this list from a preview article for the December 2018 Ensign:
We are counseled that, even though we're to stay out of judgement we may look at the 'fruits' of different people, particularly those who claim to be prophets or great leaders, and decide if those are the kinds of fruit we want for ourselves, or to follow after. God only can see the heart, but we can be prudent in who we align ourselves with.
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a arock— which we know is Jesus Christ
25 And the arain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it bfell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a afoolish man, who built his house upon the bsand—anything less than the rock
13 Enter ye in at the astrait gate; for wide is the gate, and bbroad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
14 Because strait is the agate, and bnarrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and cfew there be that find it. This sounds like the scripture that says "it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous authority. Hence, many are called but few are chosen." So maybe it is pride that keeps us out of the narrow way. Under pride is fear. If we are to enter the strait gate we must live by faith. No fear. No pride. In reading this passage, I've always mentally substituted 'strait' for 'straight'-moving uniformly in one direction only. But, these passages took on a slightly enhanced meaning when I looked at the definition of 'strait'- 1-a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water; 2-used in reference to a situation characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty. Verse 14 agrees that "narrow is the way," and maybe because of the difficulty of it, "few there be that find it." I've always wondered if it is any kind of a reliable method to say that if "everyone is doing it" then it is probably wrong. I think this is generally true in the world at large. There is quote by McConkie where he says we will be safe if we stay in the mainstream of the church. I've always felt that was true until 2020 and also looked at Isaiah's prophecies for the last days. Now, if I fit in with the mainstream of the church I feel like I also am in the mainstream of the world and in the broad path. I think I read somewhere that "mainstream of the church" is referring to the doctrine...not the behavior of the members.
15 Beware of afalse prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their afruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every agood tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that abringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore, by their afruits ye shall know them. This whole comparison to trees and fruits should take us to the parable of the vineyard, which has deep implications for our day. This counsel to look at fruits is so important! Is this really and 'all or nothing' fruit thing? I have some good fruits and some bad fruits...does my bad fruit mean my whole self/tree is bad? Does this relate to the scripture that teaches if my good fruit isn't "charity" then it doesn't matter what my other good fruits are? This makes me want to seek/pray for that gift and to be Born Again, so that my "nature is changed and I have no more disposition to do evil."
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall aenter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will asay to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will aI profess unto them: I never bknew you; cdepart from me, ye that work iniquity. Again, I find it interesting that we are told we can know by someone's fruits if they are a false prophet, but then He lists some things that I would call 'fruits' (prophesying in Christ's name; casting out devils; doing many wonderful works) and says He never knew them. What are the fruits of a true disciple/prophet of Christ? Perhaps it is simply someone who does the will of the Father and not their own will. If people can prophesy, cast out devils and do wonderful works and still not be known by the Lord, then maybe they are doing them by their own power and cunning and for the praise of the world and not as directed by the Lord. Would a devil leave a person by a "casting out" that is not done in the name of the Lord? In our ministering, it is not so much what we do but why we do it. Duty is not the same as love. Being assigned is not the same as feeling entrusted. Look at this list from a preview article for the December 2018 Ensign:
We are counseled that, even though we're to stay out of judgement we may look at the 'fruits' of different people, particularly those who claim to be prophets or great leaders, and decide if those are the kinds of fruit we want for ourselves, or to follow after. God only can see the heart, but we can be prudent in who we align ourselves with.
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a arock— which we know is Jesus Christ
25 And the arain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it bfell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a afoolish man, who built his house upon the bsand—anything less than the rock
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it. We will soon all feel the rains descend and the flood waters rising. Pres. Nelson told us we will not survive spiritually if we have not learned to receive personal revelation. Repeated again at least three times in Oct 22 GC And what is revelation? It is hearing the voice of the Lord and then doing what we are told. That is our firm foundation. It is not to follow after our own will. We do all things 'in Christ'. Christ follows this with the parable of house building-build your spiritual house, using the firm foundation, or rock, of Christ and His everlasting Gospel, and don't follow after Babylon, which is sandy. Only as our 'houses' are firm, can we effectively minister to others. Notice the rain and floods and wind came on both the wise and the foolish.
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