Judge Actions, Not People

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I’ve always had a very strong sense of right and wrong, and a desire for justice. Much too slowly I have realised that if that’s not tempered with love and grace it becomes a bad thing.

The Gospels are full of places where Jesus failed to criticise, much less condemn, someone who was in clear sin. Indeed, on one occasion He just said “Go and sin no more” to a woman who was caught in adultery – a sin for which the law prescribed stoning.

On the other hand, Jesus has some very harsh words for the Pharisees over things that seem trivial next to adultery.

Jesus was less concerned about the sin than the heart or the person who had sinned. Thinking too well of one’s self was a problem. Seeing yourself as superior to others was a huge problem. But the sinner who knew they were a sinner was treated with grace.

I think we need to apply this same approach in our lives. It makes for better parenting, and it makes our marriages far better. Even in business, it’s a wise way to lead.

I’m not suggesting we ignore wrongs. But why a wrong occurred and how the perpetrator feels about it is extremely important. It should shape your response in a big way. 

How should you apply this to your marriage?

Image Credit: Christ with the Woman Taken in Adultery, by Guercino via Wikimedia Commons
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