Welcome to the blog of Pastor Alton Stone, from Simpsonville, SC. Pastor Stone is a retired Ordained Bishop of The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee with over 45 years of pastoral ministry.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The Sin of Assumption (Part 2)

The Sin of Assumption (Part 2)

Superficial judgment is wrong. Passing judgment on someone based solely on appearances is sinful according to John 7:24. I pastored a lady who considered herself an old fashioned, holiness believer, yet her tongue was a mile long. She always had something bad to say about somebody and assumed everything she ever heard was the gospel truth. She had no problem condemning others, but don't dare say a thing about her family. There was a scandal involving some of her loved ones and she knew that party was guilty, but defended them anyway. Folks, this is what gives Pentecostals a bad name. That's why we need to be level headed and not holier than thou because it can come back to haunt you.

It is foolish to jump to conclusions before investigating the facts:

Proverbs 18:13 "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Read this story in Luke's gospel. Simon the Pharisee passed judgment on a woman based on her appearance and reputation, but he could not see that the woman had been forgiven; Simon thus drew Jesus’ rebuke for his unrighteous judgment

Luke 7:36–50 "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

The point is: Don't jump to conclusions without first knowing what is true and what is not. Your tongue can get you into more trouble than you realize!


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