Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
This passage of scripture is simple and straight-forward in that it teaches us the need to put ourselves in another person's shoes when interacting or dealing with our fellowmen on any level. If we do not like something for ourselves, then we should not do it to others, for if we do, we set up a biased standard whereby self stands to benefit from the injustices and mistreatment of others.
The violation of the golden rule was blatantly manifest when the Pharisees and scribes brought a woman taken in adultery, to be publicly judged by Christ. How they caught her in the very act is anyone's guess, but the means by which they sought justice was akin to the methods implemented by the devil, who stands as an accuser of the brethren, holding up our sins and errors in the most exaggerated light for the whole world to see. Let's read:
John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Christ could have then and there exposed the most private sins and injustices of the woman's accusers, sins that would have not only caused them major embarrassment, but would likely have put many of them in serious trouble with the law. But Jesus did no go this route, for He set us the example that we should never retaliate in like currency when we are treated in a derogatory manner, neither are we authorized to respond with anger and vehement speech, when we are unfairly treated or humiliated by anyone. This requires great humility, patience, and forbearance that can only come from the indwelling Christ. Let's read:
Colossians 3:2 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
In our day there are newspapers and magazines which thrive on the misfortunes and errors of other people, while their own misdeeds are deliberately kept out of the limelight. The sins of Tiger woods and Kobe Bryant are magnified to the skies, whilst the very magazines that trumpet their errors, often pay agents to set them up for a fall, and when this is accomplished, the embarrassing results are printed in the headlines, and churned and twisted until the listening public is riled up into a sort of satanic frenzy.
As Christians, we are called to live above the fray, not imbibing or encouraging gossip and slander that we would hate for ourselves, but rather seeking to highlight the good in others, knowing that we ourselves would like to be treated as we do others. The Jerry-springer mentality must be resolutely put away, for we should never be found dwelling on the faults and sins of others with deep and critical interest. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to follow in the footsteps of the Master as He dealt with the woman taken in adultery, for Christ's mission is to save and heal, not to condemn or tear down. Let's read:
John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
May God enable us through His Holy Spirit to practice the golden rule, for if we do, an entirely new day will dawn in our Christian experience. God bless!