Don’t Throw Stones

John 8:7,10,11 The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” … He looked up again and said to her, “Where did they all go? Did no one judge you guilty?” She answered, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “I don’t judge you either. You can go now, but don’t sin again.”

When we see someone else doing the wrong thing, all too often we feel compelled to throw stones. It’s a reaction that sadly, that Christians are more prone to than the general population. Why is that?

Perhaps it’s because anyone who’s committed to following Jesus has a stronger sense of what’s right and what’s wrong. And the more ingrained that sense of right and wrong becomes in us, the more likely we are to judge the bad behaviour of others.

For instance, the morality that the Bible speaks of is a far cry from what passes for acceptable moral standards in today’s society. So we get in our holy huddles and start pointing the finger at “those terrible people out there.” It’s easy to feel superior, and it’s all too easy for religious people to judge them.

Back in the day, the religious leaders dragged a woman caught in adultery before Jesus to test Him. The Jewish law said she should be stoned to death. The Roman law said only the Governor could pass the death sentence. Catch 22.

John 8:7,10,11 The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” … He looked up again and said to her, “Where did they all go? Did no one judge you guilty?” She answered, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “I don’t judge you either. You can go now, but don’t sin again.”

Think about it. The only person in that place who was sinless, the only one qualified to throw a stone, chose not to!

#NoteToSelf: Don’t throw stones.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.