Worn Moccasins

The natives had a saying concerning the judgment of others. "Don't judge a man until you walk a mile in his moccasins." Each of us are where we are in our experience and belief system because of the influence of life and the teaching of others, either in person or through books, etc. Since we each walk a different road and meet up with different people then it stands to reason that each of us will be uniquely different in some ways.

When you encounter someone with a different viewpoint than you possess, the reason for it goes back to the aforementioned. Perhaps you run into someone who is beaten down and has trouble standing against temptation. It is likely they didn't have a strong role model in their lives. Before you make fun of a homosexual, realize that most of them...the vast majority of them...didn't have a father active in their home life as a child. Many of them were sexually molested as a child. While this does not excuse their behavior, we must realize our hyper-criticism doesn't help things either. It is known that as much as 80% of young men in prison had little or no significant relationship with their fathers.

Differences of religion primarily point at one's early teaching. Regardless of whether you are Christian, Hindu, or Atheist...you are whatever you are because of your life's influences. For me, one of the most difficult things I have ever done was to attempt to study the Bible without religious bias. I am still working on it. I believe the Bible because it has proven itself over and over again in a miraculous fashion. I follow the mainstream understanding of the Bible because there is safety in a multitude of counsel and because correct contextual criticism will lead you to a simple understanding.

However, when I walk a mile in other religious folks 'moccasins' I can understand where they are coming from even if they are incorrect or if my understanding doesn't agree with theirs. Many religions operate out of a fear based mentality. "If you don't do as I say....you are going to hell." If that doesn't get your attention nothing will. While there certainly is a hell to shun, I am very wary of religious groups who use hell as the main motive for keeping folks straight. I love the scripture that says, "It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance."

I feel that we would get much more done in the Kingdom if we first try to understand where people are coming from before we simply rush in and judge them. If you have a friend you'd like to win to Christ, the last thing you need to do is jump on them about their 'filthy sins' although their sins may be truly filthy. If you haven't been hooked on drugs, then you do not know what it is like to have to beat that addiction. If you have never been addicted to porn, it is easy to judge someone who is. If you have never tried to beat depression, then maybe a few months beneath its cloud would help you understand others who have been under it for years.

The last thing is, do not judge on hear-say. First, most of what you hear is inaccurate. By the time a story passes through three people it is likely loses 50% of its truth. Exaggeration, errant hearing, and other factors contribute to this. Second, there are always two sides to every story. Unless you are willing to hear the whole story, you have no right to repeat any of it! To do so is to speak before walking in the other guys shoes.

So, I urge you to slip on the worn moccasins of your friends before you shoot them between the eyes. Come to think of it, you and I have moccasins of our own that we'd appreciate others 'trying on' before they judge us.

Have a great day and see through the eyes of other people.

Tim