Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
This passage of scripture contains very pertinent counsel in regards to reaching conclusions about the actions and motives of others. The verse also affirms the fact that what goes around comes around, and therefore we should expect to be judged in the same manner that we ourselves judge.
A noteworthy example of what is being referred to can be found in the experience of Peter, who denied Christ with cursing and swearing. Being an apostle of the gospel, he would have undoubtedly been looked upon as a hypocrite by fellow church members, and by those who could not read his innermost feelings and motives. Was he ashamed of Christ for not delivering Himself and His disciples from the mob? Yes. Did he try to hide and disguise his faith by putting on a false charade? Yes. But when we take a closer look at his motive in coming to the courtroom in the first place, we see beneath the cloak of pretense, a genuine concern for the well-being and safety of his Master, and even though his motives were dressed in the inadequate garb of fallen humanity, yet Jesus prayed for him, because his love for Christ was sincere and ran deep.
And then we can just imagine the rumors that would inevitably start flying around, of how this prominent elder of the church was caught red-handed using foul language in public, even denying that he was a christian. Those who had witnessed the whole episode may very well have rushed to an unfavorable conclusion of Peter, and may even have recommended his withdrawal from his apostolic office as a result, and as a safeguard to the name of Christ and the reputation of His people.
Now although Peter's conduct cannot be condoned by any stretch of the imagination, yet this experience contains very valuable lessons for us who are living in the twenty first century, in which rumors, both true and false are flying left and right about those who are held in high religious esteem. God hates hypocrisy, but he loves the sinner, and that's why Matthew was inspired to write Christ's words of caution on this vary matter. Let's read:
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
In our experience and interaction with family, friends and brethren, let us be willing to give others the benefit of the doubt, and as a general rule of thumb, we should place the best motive on the words and actions of others. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that calls on us to look for the best in others, even when actions to the contrary may try to pull us in the opposite direction. Let's read:
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
May God enable us think and act like Christ in these situations, for it is the will of God that we delight in mercy, and practice makes perfect. "Good night" and God bless!