“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (KJV Matthew 7:12.)

“Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” It is an idiom taken from the poem “Judge Softly” by Mary T. Lathrap. The message being conveyed is to avoid judging others, but rather practice empathy by seeking to understand the thoughts, challenges, and experiences they have encountered. 

The bible teaches us “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (KJV Matthew 7:1.) Jesus directs his disciples in the way to conduct themselves by not condemning the faults of others. We are to take introspection and judge our own actions, instead of trying to correct our fellowman in areas we really do not understand. Can you imagine telling a man who has suffered true hunger for days how it feels to be hungry if you have never missed a meal? 

It’s easy to judge someone else’s situation and point out what they might be doing wrong. However, instead of focusing on others’ mistakes, consider how Jesus summarized everything in two commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (KJV Matthew 22:37-39.)

As born-again believers, we are to allow the love of Christ to shine through in our lives. Love covers a multitude of sins…amen? It saved us all at the ninth hour one afternoon. Jesus shed His precious blood on Calvary’s cross for your sins and mine. Let us learn to extend an empathetic heart to others, listening and understanding the “shoes” they are walking in at any given moment. 

Today, if by chance you find yourself possibly condemning the actions of another, simply stop…ask God for forgiveness and to show you the good in all that they do instead, asking Him to help you find a way to be an example in word or deed. Make it a practice to uplift, inspire, and show compassion towards all men. Often, our lives are the only examples of our Savior that others see. Let us check ourselves and decide how we are walking before others; will they be able to follow us, as we follow Christ?

Pray that God softens our hearts so we can show empathy to one another. We can all fall into sin at any time. “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (KJV Galatians 6:3-4.)

God’s blessings for a wonderful day!