7:1,2 This is one of Satan's favorite passages, to convince you to say nothing about every heretic, pervert and wacko around.

No one has to judge if any individual is lost because one that is lost is already lost and condemned - (1 Cor. 5:13; Jn. 3:18).

The passage, in its context, goes along with (5:22) and has to do with rules of context between Jewish saints. However, it introduces a complex system of Christian judgment and discernment:

[1]. The Christian is to judge things in his own live and the lives of others - (1 Cor. 11:13, 31; 5:3; 6:2,4).
[2]. He is not to judge a brother as unsaved if that brother disagrees with him on minor doctrinal points of practice - (Rom. 14:1-10,13).
[3]. He is not to judge anything hastily, or when not required, or unmercifully, or from an unscriptural standpoint.
[4]. But he is to mark out and avoid preacher and teachers who do not believe the Word of God, (Rom. 16:17,18; Phil. 3:17-19; Matt. 7:15).

7:3-5 Mote = splinter, beam = 2x4.

7:6 This text has suffered more at the hands of fundamentalists than liberals. This is used by some as proof text that some people should not be witnessed to since they despise the truth.

[1]. Dogs and swine. (2 Pet. 2:1,22) - entire chapter a discussion on false prophets and teachers.
[2]. Pearls are connected with the names of men (Rev. 21.12,21).

(a). Precious jewels consistently have the same connection - (Ex. 28:21; Mal. 3:16,17)
(b). Church is called pearl of great price - (Matt. 13:46). Pearls are people.

[3]. That which is holy - anything belonging to God 1 Cor. 3:17.

Interpretation: It's wrong to take people you win or anything that belongs to God and subject them to false teachers and prophets, lest the entire thing gets turned around and they "rend" the men responsible for their conversion. Phil. 3:2.

7:7,8 This is really more an Old Testament than New Testament prayer notice:

7:9-11

7:12 It must be noticed that the "Golden Rule" has an Old Testament application: "for this is the law and the prophets." Compare to (Lk. 16:16) - so the golden rule as a plan of salvation ended with John. - (Matt. 11:13).

7:15 This turns out to be one of the most prominent themes in the Bible. Entire chapters, or most of chapters are devoted to it: (2 Pet. 2; 1 Tim. 4; Jude 4-18; Matt. 23; 1 Jn. 4).

[1]. They pretend to be sent by God - (Jer. 23:16-18, 31) - but God didn't send them (vs. 21).
[2]. Thy are influenced by evil spirits - (1 Ki. 22:21,22).
[3]. They often traffic with sorcery - (Acts 13:6-12).
[4]. Usually complain about money spent on Jesus - (Jn. 12:3-6; 1 Thess. 11:7-15).
[5]. Wolves cannot produce sheep on their own, so they have to look for someone else's flock - (Acts 20:28-31).
[6]. They love preeminence (3 Jn. 9,10) - notice malicious words are their weapon.
[7]. What sheep the wolves can't catch, they scatter - (Jn. 10:11,12).

Pastors are told to take the oversight (1 Pet. 5:1-4,8).

7:16-20 The passage is so plain it needs little explanation, except we may illustrate by looking at the source.

[1]. Wolves that look like sheep.
[2]. Thorns that look like grapes.
[3]. Thistles that look like figs.

The imitators could usually be identified by some of the following false doctrine (Ruckman):

[1]. They minimize sin.
[2]. They humanize God.
[3]. They deify man.
[4]. They teach self-atonement.
[5]. They delay repentance.
[6]. They avoid preaching on hell.

Furthermore, good fruit produces:

[1]. Knowledge of forgiveness - (Eph. 4:32).
[2]. Knowledge of acceptance - (Eph. 1:6).
[3]. Elimination of fear - (2 Tim. 1:7).
[4]. Assurance of eternal life - (1 Jn. 5:13).
[5]. Assurance of God's providential care - (Rom. 8:28)

7:21-23 It's clear the discourse on false prophets is continuing. When you look at the elements of "Lord, Lord," "in thy name," "wonderful works," how many people could the false prophets fool today? See (2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Pet. 2:1,2).

So in the strictest context, the false prophets of the last days (coming to a climax in the Trib, - (Matt. 24:11,24) are being denied entrance into the Mill. kingdom.

Other observations:

[1]. "In my name have cast out devils" - shows the extent to which false prophets is able to deceive. Example - (Acts 19:13-17).

Judas, who was said to be a devil (Jn. 6:70,71) was given a commission to cast devils out (Matt. 10:4-8).

*The deception grows greater as the days grow longer!

[2]. "I never knew you"

This passage is used by the salvation by works crowd, but remember this won't fit with "I know my sheep" - (Jn. 10:27).

7:24-27 This conclusion leads some people to believe that if they perform the Sermon on the Mount they will gain heaven. Notice the judgment here is not fire, but wind and rain.

[2]. Inspirationally we could say:

(a). They both heard.
(b). They both saw the need.
(c). They both made an effect.
(d). They both were confident they would stand the test.
(e). They both were exposed to the testing.

[3]. They were different in that

(a). They responded to the message differently.
(b). The foundation they chose was different.
(c). The results of the testing differed.

7:28,29 Jesus dogmatism was to some a refreshing breath of fresh air, to others who were good liberals it was cause for murder.