| How often Christians are guilty of answering a matter before they hear it. We hear only one side about a problem or controversy, and we form an opinion or come to a conclusion without knowing the facts. Many times we reach conclusions from hearsay, when God says that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established,” and we do well to obey God’s word to “be swift to hear, slow to speak,” until we know the facts. “Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” So “it is folly and shame unto him” who “answereth a matter before he heareth it.” Rather “shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently,” and “judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” So be not one “that answereth a matter before he heareth it,” all sides of it. And even then, remember that “love covereth all sins.” |
