January 25

Today from Proverbs 25 we look at verse 8
"What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?"

I see the principle here as a reference to the court of life. The situation is not necessarily a room with a judge and jury, but it certainly denotes a processed decision of which the outcome will significantly affect the life or lives of others. When confronted with such situations, it is wise to ask the following:
1. Is it necessary that I get involved?
2. Can I be as honestly objective as possible?
3. Can I be unbiased in my presentation?
The proverb reminds us that even what we see with our own eyes can be misinterpreted through our own limitations of understanding, and/or our own prejudices. It is the difference between reporting and editorializing. Can we observe an action without putting put our own interpretation to the action? If some person, or some type of person that we either dislike or distrust conducts the action, the likelihood is that our interpretation will be prejudiced (this is where the term profiling got a bad name). That is why the Lord cautions us not to be hasty in pitching in our 'two cents worth' when it involves the character and reputation of another person. We are 'taking them to court' when we speak and judge others by using incomplete, or worse, prejudiced information. This is a most difficult sin to master. It takes both wisdom and grace.
Wisdom understands that truth stands forever, it cannot be undone. If we give harmful testimony (1) where it is not needed, (2) that has not been objective or (3) that was prejudiced against another - one day the truth will be revealed. It may take place in this time but certainly in the presence of the Great Judge. Either way the truth will put us to shame if we made a wrong judgment. As we grow in wisdom, we learn to be cautious in bringing our testimony into situations that affect the lives of others.
Jesus says in John 7:24; "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." And in Matthew 12:36, 37; "But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned."