Then they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law and challenged him to judge the woman so that they might then accuse him of disobeying the law. Jesus thought for a moment and then replied, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.”
John 8:7
How often do we find ourselves judging others by their past mistakes or acting like the morality police or watching people to catch them doing something wrong. I see this happening at work, within our families or even at church. We condemn others without really knowing the whole picture of who they really are or the circumstances they may be going through. Some of us act like the Pharisees when we start trying to catch someone messing up.
Just like when the scribes and Pharisees were condemning the woman caught in adultery and Jesus started writing something in the dirt. People speculate on what Jesus wrote, was it their sins? Was it their names? No one really knows for sure, but Jesus spoke to them and said “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her”. Everyone dropped their stones and turned and walked away. Jesus told the woman to “go and sin no more”.
The Pharisees were there to try and trap Jesus. They thought either way Jesus answers, we have him. As Christians we need to watch our thoughts and actions and not stand on our soap box and preach while we are gossiping, lying or being deceitful. That is what the world is waiting for, so they can say “look you hypocritical Christian”. We need to extend to others the mercy and grace that we have received from God. No one is perfect – no one! That is why we all need a Savior! Jesus said, I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners'" (Mark 2:15-17).
Don’t judge someone because they sin differently than you. Ask God to teach you to love more fully and give you a heart of flesh. Remember when pointing the finger at someone, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you. Humble yourself and allow God to shine through you!
John 8:7
How often do we find ourselves judging others by their past mistakes or acting like the morality police or watching people to catch them doing something wrong. I see this happening at work, within our families or even at church. We condemn others without really knowing the whole picture of who they really are or the circumstances they may be going through. Some of us act like the Pharisees when we start trying to catch someone messing up.
Just like when the scribes and Pharisees were condemning the woman caught in adultery and Jesus started writing something in the dirt. People speculate on what Jesus wrote, was it their sins? Was it their names? No one really knows for sure, but Jesus spoke to them and said “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her”. Everyone dropped their stones and turned and walked away. Jesus told the woman to “go and sin no more”.
The Pharisees were there to try and trap Jesus. They thought either way Jesus answers, we have him. As Christians we need to watch our thoughts and actions and not stand on our soap box and preach while we are gossiping, lying or being deceitful. That is what the world is waiting for, so they can say “look you hypocritical Christian”. We need to extend to others the mercy and grace that we have received from God. No one is perfect – no one! That is why we all need a Savior! Jesus said, I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners'" (Mark 2:15-17).
Don’t judge someone because they sin differently than you. Ask God to teach you to love more fully and give you a heart of flesh. Remember when pointing the finger at someone, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you. Humble yourself and allow God to shine through you!
