“In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.”
I use to know a few judges. Occasionally I would sit in the back of their courtrooms and watch them work. I was always fascinated by the power they had to make judgements on a persons life and the pressure to get it right. To accomplish that as fairly as possible it was necessary to hear evidence from all the involved parties. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of the same situation each side could have. At times both sides truly seemed convinced they were right. There is little as frustrating in life than to be judged by others without the opportunity to share your side. Solomon sat in the judgment seat many times in his role as a ruler. He understood this truth. A historical context for this verse is given by an ancient writer who uses this reality to encourage the first to testify to tell the whole truth and own their responsibility for what went wrong. Not only does it knock the legs out from under their accuser but it shows a degree of integrity that honors God. This behavior can actually cause a case to not even need to go before a judge and allows for a quicker and easier path to reconciliation which should always be our kingdom goal. Today speak the whole truth and own your flaws. #BeTheEdge
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16a NIV
