“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1-5
When we met to talk about Jesus’ admonition about judging others, my mind went immediately to what I would consider the perfect passage to accompany it.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20
I’m a post WWII Baby Boomer, though if you were to see me walk, you might think me pre-Civil War. While I’m not a centenarian, my 76 years have never seen times like those we are living in now. Generally, people are equal parts angry and frightened. To be honest, I think that the anger is actually an outgrowth of the fear. The world seems out of control, and beyond our ability to impact it. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves looking for someone to blame: Democrats, Republicans, Whites, Blacks, Immigrants, Northerners, Southerners, Texans, Californians, Israelis, Palestinians. The list goes on and on. Even worse, what once might have elicited an extended middle finger is now eliciting gunshots. That’s where James’ words become so important.
“Quick to Listen
Slow to Speak
Slow to Become Angry”
I think it impossible to emphasize how important the word SLOW is here. It ought to be a 100 point font for emphasis. The movers and shakers of our world fill our daily news with hate speech and finger pointing. They don’t want us to stop and think.
That’s when we must consider our calling as God’s people.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
In a world filled with hate, we are called to be the personification of love. Slow down and ask God how He would have you respond. Then and only then, speak and act.
by Bruce Hanson
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