Every story has two sides

Quite often we are led to believe that our gut instincts are the right ones, whether they are something from God, God-given, or just our own feelings of a situation based upon what we can see. Whilst these gut instincts may serve us well at times, they can also lead us to very foolish conclusions. We must be aware of this and use caution when faced with a situation. Just as we should test things against the word of God, so too should we test things in everyday life before we commit to a decision. Do not make decisions based solely on what one person has said. (1 Thessalonians 5:21 "Test all things; hold fast what is good.")


A verse to remember: Proverbs 18:17 "The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him."

In other words, every story seems right until you hear the other side. There may be times when listening to the story of a person, you become enraged at the injustice of the situation and the wrongs committed against the person telling the story. You find yourself developing hostility and anger towards the apparent wrong-doers described in the story and sympathy towards the story-teller. You may even act upon what you have heard... How foolish you feel when you discover the true facts of the case. How hot-headed you realise you have been when you hear the other side of the story. Every story has two sides. Do not act upon just one side.

In a world were people love to talk about other people, we should be careful not to form conclusions based on these words and treat everybody with the love of Christ, without partiality or judgement.

If you must decide upon a matter, or draw conclusions, make sure every fact is known if possible and then pray for wisdom in what actions you are about to take.

When one man's sin is found out; do not judge him. Regardless of who he is, whether he is your neighbour, your enemy or your church pastor. Remember that they too are human and that you too have done just as much wrong as they have. (Psalm 130:3 "If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?" (NIV)). It is sad to see just how unforgiving people can be of others. One man may be able to forgive himself for the mistake he commits, yet continues to hold the mistakes of others against them.  

Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged."

This is not to say that we should not correct others. When we see somebody doing wrong we should not stand by and allow it. To not say anything is sin in itself: (James 4:17 "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."). Consider the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers: Reuben knew what was happening was wrong and therefore refused to take part, however by standing by and doing nothing he allowed the wrong to happen and consequently was plagued with guilt for the rest of his life.


Correction indeed is Biblical, yet it is in no way judgement. We should correct others in love, without bias and showing no partiality, not getting involved with the story tellers and gossips, yet at the same time remaining reverent and wise. 

However, whilst we should take what we hear with a pinch of salt and test it against the Word of God, not letting it affect the way we treat others, 'take it' we should do so that we may be cautious and reverent; allowing us to make the right decision, rather than one based on human emotion.

Take on board those words in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 "¹⁵ See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil."

-BACChristian