Podcast Summary: Rick Renner Podcast (Audio)

Episode: What Did Jesus Mean by “Judge Not”?

Release Date: April 14, 2026
Host: Rick Renner (with Denise Renner)
Main Scripture Focus: Matthew 7:1–5

Overview

In this episode, Rick Renner explores the true meaning behind Jesus’ command, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). The discussion distinguishes between healthy judgment and being judgmental, analyzing the Greek origins of key biblical terms and expounding on the dangers of holding a judgmental attitude. Rick and Denise emphasize the law of sowing and reaping, the mirroring effect of judgment, and the grace-laden approach Jesus instructs followers to adopt. The episode is peppered with practical examples, linguistic insights, and personal reflection prompts to help believers mature in their attitudes toward others.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Judgment vs. Being Judgmental (02:50–05:45)

• Judging: Defined by Rick as discernment, perception, and evaluation made after careful consideration. Healthy judgment is vital for making decisions, avoiding danger, and personal development.

  “Judgment is an essential skill for decision making, navigating complex situations, making informed choices, and gaining insight into oneself and the world at large.” – Rick Renner (05:19)

• Judgmental Attitude: Involves negative, rash, and often harsh opinions about others, usually based on superficial evidence or stereotypes. A judgmental person tends to believe their opinions and values are inherently superior.

  “Being judgmental involves viewing others in a negative light, often using derogatory language…and is often based on exteriors or insufficient knowledge…” – Rick Renner (06:28)

• The distinction is foundational for the series and for mature Christian living.

2. The Danger and Process of Judgmentalism (07:52–10:52)

• Examples of Being Judgmental: Rick and Denise cite common scenarios:

  • Judging based on differences—race, accent, denomination, faith, or political persuasion.
  • Categorizing others based on past offenses, assuming they’ll never change.

  “You can be judgmental simply because people are different... you just categorize them... That’s being judgmental, my friends. It is so unfair.” – Rick Renner (08:15)

• Reciprocity Principle: The Greek word “henna” (“in order that”) in Matthew 7:1 highlights that being judgmental sets a process in motion, where the same judgment will boomerang back to you. Rick underscores the certainty of this spiritual law.

  “Being judgmental of others sets a process in motion… Jesus says, don't get into this business in order that you don't set this into motion…” – Rick Renner (09:50)

3. Jesus’ Warning About Judgment’s Consequences: Sowing and Reaping (10:52–14:36)

• In Matthew 7:2, the degree to which we judge (“with what measure ye mete...”) determines how we are judged, tying directly into the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7).

  “What you dole out to others is what’s going to be doled out to you.” – Rick Renner (14:34)

• This applies universally: love, hate, mercy, harshness—whatever is sown habitually will come back in kind.

  “If you give love, you’re going to get love. If you give hate, you’re going to get hate. If you give a judgmental attitude, you’re going to be the recipient of a judgmental attitude.” – Rick Renner (14:10)

4. Fixation on Others’ Flaws vs. Self-Awareness (16:40–22:06)

• Jesus’ illustration (Matthew 7:3–5): Focusing on the “mote” (tiny speck) in another’s eye while ignoring the “beam” (large plank) in our own.

  • Greek insights: “Mote” refers to a minuscule splinter; “beam” is a large timber used in building, symbolizing a major personal flaw or blind spot.

• The hypocrisy of attempting to correct others while unchecked issues exist in oneself.

  “Here we find the judgmental person is focusing on something very minute in another person’s life… when you’re not even aware of the beam that is in your own eye.” – Rick Renner (18:35)

• The command to cast out one’s own “beam” first, likened to casting out a demon, requiring decisiveness and urgency.

  “When you’ve got an issue going on in your own life while you’re being judgmental of others, you need to deal with that issue in your own life. Almost as if it was something demonic.” – Rick Renner (20:35)

• Only after self-correction can one see clearly to help others.

5. Personal Reflection and Application (20:59–21:27)

• Rick encourages listeners to self-reflect before criticizing others, as judgmental attitudes often arise from unresolved personal issues.

  “When I am tempted to be judgmental of somebody else, I stop and look at me. Because usually when you’re judgmental, in some level in your own life, you’re guilty of the very thing that you’re judgmental of.” – Rick Renner (20:59)

• Emphasizes that maintaining a non-judgmental spirit is necessary for being of real help to others.

  “You’re not in a position to help them. How in the world can you help them when you have such a condemning, judgmental attitude?” – Rick Renner (21:28)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Measure of Judgment:

  “If you dish it out, it’s going to be dished out to you. That’s the law of sowing and reaping.” – Rick Renner (16:40)

• On Jesus’ Nature:

  “It is not indicative of the nature of Jesus to talk like that. Jesus would never talk about other people in that way.” – Denise Renner (08:51)

• Practical Prompt:

  “This really causes us to look in the mirror and to look at ourselves.” – Rick Renner (21:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:50 – Distinction between judging and being judgmental.
• 07:52 – Examples of judgmental attitudes in daily life.
• 09:49 – The biblical principle of reciprocity in judgment.
• 10:52 – Matthew 7:2 explained; Sowing and reaping applied.
• 16:40 – Focusing on the speck and ignoring the beam; Greek word study.
• 19:45 – Hypocrisy and self-confrontation.
• 20:35 – Importance of dealing with personal issues before helping others.
• 21:06 – Encouragement to self-reflection when tempted to judge.
• 21:28 – Being in a position to help others without judgmentalism.

Tone and Style

Rick Renner’s delivery is pastoral, direct, and compassionate, aiming for clarity and spiritual growth. Insights are rooted in scriptural exegesis, coupled with encouragement for personal transformation and practical application. Denise Renner’s contributions bring warmth and affirmation to the teaching.

Conclusion

Summary Takeaway:
Jesus’ instruction to “judge not” is not a prohibition of healthy discernment but a stern warning against judgmentalism—a habit of negative, surface-level categorization of others rooted in self-righteousness. Such attitudes set in motion a spiritual law: the severity you show to others will return to you. Instead, Jesus advocates for self-examination, humility, and mercy, making clear that only when we deal with our own flaws can we effectively and lovingly help others.

Call to action:
Rick ends by urging listeners to pray for freedom from judgmental attitudes and to embrace the difference between necessary judgment and unhealthy condemnation:

“Help us to shed any judgmental attitude of others. Help us to judge where we need to judge, but not to be judgmental. In Jesus name.” – Rick Renner (26:39)

Next episode preview: An exploration of what it means to call someone “Raca”—a topic for the following day’s teaching.