Did you know to Pre-Judge Someone is to have a Prejudice Against Someone?

Did you know many of the world religions have a sacred text which is equivalent to the Christian Faith’s Golden Rule?

How much do you really know about YOUR faith?

Do you REALLY KNOW and UNDERSTAND other’s faiths? 

Do you rely on a person’s interpretation of another’s faith?   

Do you go to true academic sources (research) and actual religious texts of other religions to understand what a particular religion actually espouses?

Do you believe a view of a religion because you found it on the internet? Or do you go to the source (actual sacred text) of another’s faith?

Did you know that most people who point out supposed flaws in others' religion , barely know what their own faith is really about?

In the Christian New Testamenmt, 1 Peter 3:8 states:

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.

(Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition)

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.

(Revised Standard Version, Protestant Edition)

What is St Peter saying in this verse? Maybe it can be best summed up by GailBurtonPurath in her blog “Bible Love Notes” (see https://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2015/06/walk-their-moccasins.html?m=1) and in particular her entry entitled “Walk a Mile in H”’s Moccasins.”:

“‘Don't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their moccasins.’*

This proverb is a good way to look at God's admonition to judge others fairly and graciously (Matthew 7:1-4). 

Each of us have insights and understanding into certain problems that we've experienced personally. We understand because we've ‘worn the same moccasins’ as others.

But God wants us to have compassion and consideration even if we haven't experienced the same pain and challenges of others.

You may never have lost your job, had a wayward child, had poor health, been widowed, or faced the challenges of aging. But God can give you compassion, sympathy, and empathy for people going through these things.

God wants us to think of others, instead of just thinking of ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4), so let's pray for sensitivity and consideration in all of our relationships. 

________________________________________________________________

Gail Burton Purath's Notes:

To avoid misunderstandings about Matthew 7:1-4, read Judge Not Scripture Out of Context. 

* Contrary to popular opinion, this isn't a Native American proverb. It became popular because of the poem "Walk a Mile in His Moccasins" written in 1895 by Mary T. Lathrap”

________________________________________________________________

The truth is, if either we were born in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan, we would most likely have been reared in the Islam faith, and be Muslim

Chaplain Jeff Wolfe