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21 Sep: Truth Before Judgment
Do not spread false reports. Exodus 23:1
Scripture Reading: Exodus 23:1–9
During the 2018 baseball season, a Chicago Cubs coach tried to give a baseball to a young boy sitting near the dugout. However, when the coach threw the ball toward him, a man caught it instead. A video of the incident quickly spread online, and news outlets and social media users condemned the man, calling him cruel and selfish.
But many people did not know the full story. Earlier, the man had helped the boy catch a foul ball, and they had agreed to share any other balls that came their way. Sadly, it took twenty-four hours for the truth to come out. By then, many people had already judged and publicly attacked a man who had done nothing wrong.
This reminds us that we can easily form opinions based on incomplete information. In today’s culture, short videos, emotional posts, and angry comments can quickly lead people to condemn others without knowing what really happened.
Scripture warns us not to “spread false reports” (Exodus 23:1). Before repeating an accusation or passing judgment, we should make every effort to establish the truth. We must be careful not to allow anger, excitement, or the pressure of public opinion to control our response. The Bible also cautions us against “follow[ing] the crowd in doing wrong” (verse 2).
As followers of Jesus, may God help us to speak truthfully and avoid spreading false information. May He give us the wisdom to examine situations carefully, control our emotions, and ensure that our words are based on truth.
By: Ben Littlewood
Go deeper on: Truth Before Judgment
Reflect & Pray
Take a moment to recollect a time when someone was falsely accused. What was the damage, and how was the wrong made right?
God, with things moving so fast these days, it’s often hard to know what’s real. Help me to listen, pay attention, and speak only the truth.