Eyes Wide Open

Day Thirty-Six

Eyes Wide Open (Read Proverbs 4:1-13)

"Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others, we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace to which others are just as entitled as we are." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In today's fast-paced world, making quick judgments based on first impressions and outward appearances is easy. However, the wisdom found in Proverbs 14:10-13 serves as a timely reminder for disciples and seekers alike: proper understanding requires more profound insight than what the eye can see.

These verses caution us against the superficial evaluations that can lead to misjudgments, urging us to look beyond the surface. In a culture that prizes instant opinions and snap judgments, the biblical caution to discern the heart and character of individuals takes on renewed significance. By exploring the profound implications of these verses, we can learn how to cultivate a more compassionate perspective that considers the complexities of human experience, recognizing that present circumstances may not tell the whole story. As we delve into the nuances of this teaching, we will discover the transformative power of empathy and the importance of seeking truth beneath the façade.

Most people are taught as children not to "Judge a book by its cover." There is a disconnect with this statement in that books are not like people; books are safe. The connection, conversely, is genuine because, as an author and publisher, you know it's imperative to have an attractive cover and title because people will judge the book by its cover. Today's wisdom teaching reminds us that judging is God's duty, not ours; our task is to love and serve, not judge. Yet, there must be some element of judgment to protect yourself and the people, places, and things in your care, custody, and control, so how do you decipher the two?

¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can fully share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the godly will flourish.

¹² There is a path before each person that seems right,
    but it ends in death.

¹³ Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
    but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

¹⁴ Backsliders get what they deserve;
    good people receive their reward.

Summertime begins the political firestorm of campaign ads for candidates as they hit the campaign trail. Each one confidently demonizes and declares their opponents are incredibly selfish and liars, cheats, and thieves. Regardless of how much you may or may not love politics, their relentless barrage of campaign ads is exhausting. AMEN! How can anyone take any of these candidates seriously when they convey ungodly behavior and unleash relentless character assassination attempts with their political attack ads?

Many people delude themselves with political bias and merely judge the person by affiliation with either a donkey or an elephant; integrity mostly becomes irrelevant. Even if we are politically biased, we must be true to ourselves and confess that we don't fully endorse the ideas and morality of every candidate, regardless of their affiliation, especially if we take a spiritually principled life seriously.

"All that glitters is not gold." ~ William Shakespeare

How do you determine who to endorse, affiliate, and invest your time and other resources with? Who do you invite into your circles and allow them to influence your character and future? As a leader in your home, how do you decide what truth is and whom to trust, especially as you expose your family's future welfare to these people and their way forward? 

Heed the words of Jesus, ^20 "Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." You have choices for who you allow in your home, life, and sphere of influence, and you have a say by exercising your right to vote for who will lead our communities, cities, states, and nations. Invite and vote wisely, and don't be dazzled by fuzzy ads and their gift of gab; instead, look at their actions on and off the field. In other words, don't judge a book merely by its cover; include the entire body of work, then decide. 

 May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today's wisdom.