We all sin. We all have a problem. We all have a little room somewhere we don’t want to show others. How do I know that? Because Adam and Eve and the serpent are to blame for what they did right there at the beginning in the Garden of Eden.

Disobedience, a desire to know more, selfishness and more was the cause of man making wrong choices. It hasn’t changed much over thousands of years, and we all screw up.

Even Paul had a thorn in the flesh.

However, some of us seem to forget this. It’s as if other people’s sins or wrongdoings are much bigger, and we now get “permission” to talk about other people’s big, wrong choices.

I suspect we like to talk about other people’s wrongdoings because it makes us look better. At least I’m not as bad as Peter. At least Susan does much worse things! It actually makes mine look like nothing.

Are there really degrees of wrongdoing? Are there degrees of comparison, such as sinful, more sinful and most sinful? I suspect that before God, sin is sin. Whether it’s a big one or a small one, it’s still wrong. A big sin does not fix a small one.

We get so easily involved in conversations about what is right and wrong. We so easily turn a blind eye to a sin that is not part of our package. Until someone close to us falls into that trap, we’re caught up in it too. Suddenly your story changes.

Actually, there is a straightforward rule here. Don’t judge. Don’t start pointing fingers. Remember, three are pointing back at you. Everything can fall apart around the next corner, and you end up with the broken pieces.

¹²God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

Maybe you should read it again.

Actually, this verse, although it stops you in your tracks a little, brings peace and freedom. We don’t have to judge all the big questions about right and wrong. It’s not our responsibility. Leave it to God.

Instead, let’s stay within the law and do what we must. Let’s love everyone as we love ourselves. We all have a flaw, some bigger than others, but we shouldn’t let that determine our love for others. Let’s share Jesus’ grace and love with our fellow sinners.

Scripture
James 4:7-12

Reflection
Where is your sin?
Where do you judge?
Where should you sow love instead?

Prayer

Father, help me not to judge. Help me not to lock people in, but even if I don’t agree, to still love them with Your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.