Episode #12: Blind Spots
Jesus, Our Refuge
Throwing Stones
What are some blind spots that can afflict us? Being judgmental, hypocrisy, selfishness, bitterness, religiosity, bias, lack of knowledge, pride, routine, inflexibility, negativity, prejudice, a tone of voice, mannerisms.
Once God reveals what your blind spots are the next steps are repentance and restoration.
The Cure for blind spots
1. Revelation from God (Psalm 146:8; Isaiah 29:18-19)
2. Repentance (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
3. Restoration (Galatians 6:1)
Tone of voice – Does your tone of voice and facial expression match up with what you’re saying?
Mannerisms or body language tell a lot about what a person is thinking.
The Woman Caught in Adultery
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:1-11
Adultery was a huge sin not only in the Jewish world but also in the Roman world. Citizenship, lands and title would be taken away from the offender.
Where was the man? They both should have been brought forward. (Leviticus 20:10)
Jesus didn’t respond at all to the accusers. He avoided being trapped.
If Jesus says, “stone her!”, it would not be in harmony with His ministry of forgiveness and grace to sinners. The Jews could not put anyone to death; Jesus would have a problem with the Roman government. It would end His ministry to the sinners he was always hanging out with too. He would cease to be “the friend of sinners.” They would be terrified. If He says, “Don’t stone her; let her go!” then He does not uphold a clear teaching of Moses. We would say today, “That preacher doesn’t believe the Bible!” Or, “He’s soft on sin.”
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus basically shuts them down. They would condemn themselves. Interestingly, the crowd disperses oldest to youngest.
The Accuser
The beautiful/touching picture of God’s grace is shown in the forgiveness He offers her.
John 3:16-17
We do feel accused. We want and need grace and forgiveness. Jesus is showing us what we’re like.
Scripture says vengeance is mine. We have an accuser who is constantly accusing us. If you’re not following Jesus, there is no hold back at all. If you are a believer, He tempts you then accuses you. He works both sides. The blood of Jesus is our defense.
“You are never more like Satan than when you’re accusing others of sin.” We don’t have all the information. We accuse and judge others as guilty. It’s not our job.
Satan is the accuser of the brethren. ‘Accuser’ is one of his many names. He hates Jesus and he hates us. One of his objectives is to rob you of the peace of Jesus’ forgiveness!
Jesus, Our Refuge
What would you say to somebody who has been going through hard times and are looking for help? Paul says that … Jesus was the most maligned… Pslm 30:1-2, and 27 You shall hide me from accusing tongues. So were the prophets. We have a refuge in Him. It all comes back to Jesus. We have to run to Jesus and not take it in our own hands.
If you feel accused, Jesus has been there. He knows exactly what you’re going through. He’s the One who gives you refuge and comfort. Run to Him!
Join us next week for I Corinthians 4 – 3 false examinations.
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