Apples of Gold

The last several months have given ample opportunity for all the arm-chair quarterbacks to vocalize their opinions on everything from political chaos to church discipline and many things in between. Many times we have limited, often one-sided, biased information, intended to impugn the character of whoever has been the unfortunate recipient of the current focus of an angry mob. 

It is alarming how quickly the crowd jumps to unalterable conclusions before taking the time and energy required to research and make a well-informed and rational verdict. The label of miscreant is applied with the ferocity of the crowd that condemned so many innocents during the Salem Witch Trials. 

Being on the wrong end of brutal and unfounded accusations is a very painful position. Many of us have been there. If you are in any type of leadership, likely you have found yourself here all too often.  

Jesus commands us to be careful with our assumptions about others. 

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2

Is the standard I am using the same standard I want used when someone is surveying my words and actions? I fear many times it is not. The mercy we crave is not so easily distributed to others. 

Whether Jesus is referring to how others judge us, or ultimately the standard God will hold us to, we better be on our best behavior! 

Taking time to thoroughly assess a situation before reaching a conclusion is a mark of maturity. No one gets a fair trial when the judge issues a verdict before hearing the facts of the case. 

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:14-18

Our presuppositions can lead us astray. Solomon had a few things to say on this matter in Proverbs 18:

Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Vs 2

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. Vs 13

The first to speak in court sounds right-until the cross-examination begins. Vs 17

Each of us have our good days and our days that we would rather forget. A harsh word, thoughtless comment, insensitive action can do deep damage, at times wounding those who have been unfairly accused. 

We could all glean a thing or two from the ups and downs of the Apostle Peter. 

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” Matthew 16:15-17

Just a few verses later we read:

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view not from God’s.” Matthew 16:22-23

I’m not sure how much time elapsed between these few verses but Peter’s words took him from riding the wave of blessing to hitting the rock bottom of rebuke faster than a high performance race car skids to a stop after locking their brakes!

Depending on the day, Peter could be found at the head of the class, or in time out thinking about what he just said. If we are honest, most of us would say that we can relate to Peter. Some days we feel like we hit a home run, the crowd is on their feet with excitement. Other days we strike out and the crowd is once again on their feet but rather than cheers we are greeted with sneers.

If we are watching to see if someone is going to stumble, it better be with the sole intention of being there to catch them and help them regain their footing.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be temped. Galatians 6:1

More often than not, a struggling brother or sister is well aware that they are struggling. When our spirit is cruel and critical instead of redemptive and gentle we make restoration much more difficult to attain. 

Let’s look out for each other, seeking restoration and reconciliation when one of us stumbles. Choose your standard for judgment wisely. 

Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13