Luke 6:31 – “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. “  NASU

Luke 6:31 – “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” NKJV

Okay “Doas” is not a word but the message is clear we are to “Do As” in our dealings with others.  Through the years of counseling, ministering and dealing with people in general I continually hear complaints about how people are being treated by ‘others’ and almost always there is no implementation of this directive from Jesus.

While truth in Scripture can stand alone all the Bible from Genesis to Revelation are interrelated and interconnected.  Each directive is interwoven in the principles of every other directive from the Lord especially on our interpersonal relations.  It is truly tragic when we internalize wounds and focus on what someone has ‘done to us’ rather than addressing the principle advanced by the Lord in this passage.  We all want to be treated right and most of us, at some time or other, fail the test on how we treat others.

If you make a ‘mistake’ that was not malicious but hurt someone badly do you want them to viciously come after you verbally or physically?  NO!  Well, has there ever been a time when someone made a mistake that harmed you?  YES?  How did you respond or react?  Has there ever been a time when you lodged a complaint with a customer service representative over an error that caused you pain, problems or loss?  Has there ever been a time when you angrily responded to something that happened?  It may not have been intentional but the pain was there, the problem it caused may have been colossal.  If the shoe was on the other foot and you were the CS representative how would you want to be treated?

I addressed that once and had a person say, “Well if I do they will treat me like a doormat.”  That may be true that they will try, but that is not the directive.  If they treat you badly, consider you weak or a pushover as a result of you applying what is called “The Golden Rule” who is your defense?  It may make you feel better temporarily but will open the door to a deadly poison in your spirit if you respond out of your hurt and in anger.  Have I failed in this?  Not that I am proud of it or justify it but yes.  I did it once and the CS representative asked, “Do you feel better now?”  She did not say it in anger or even with sarcasm for in her voice I could hear genuine pain and concern.  It stopped me in my tracks and immediately I repented and apologized.  She did not cause the problem and could not resolve the issue but was able to direct me to a source that could rectify the error.

Sometimes when those we love do things that upset us we react and give ‘tit for tat’ which usually escalates into iciness if not a battle royal.  Can we commit to trying to apply the Golden Rule to our life situations?  May the Lord richly bless you as you go through your day!

RULE NOT TO FOLLOW: