James 2: 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there comes in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And you have respect to him that wears the good clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
In the meantime, we might use our intelligence, we may have our gut feelings, and we might have our humble opinions, but just remember this one thing, we can be wrong. Let’s give to others the benefit of the doubt, and let us by the grace of God, form the habit of placing the best construction upon the motives, and actions of others because we may save ourselves from making some perilous mistakes, and this world will be made a better place, if we do.
[Gospel Workers pp 271] Ministers should not use flattery or be respecters of persons. There ever has been, and still is, great danger of erring here, of making a little difference with the wealthy, of flattering them by special attention, if not by words. There is danger of “having men's persons in admiration” [Jude 16.] for the sake of gain, but if one does this, he endangers their eternal interests.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will help us to steer clear of the tendency to judge motive, or external actions only, for the word of God teaches us to approach all situations, and persons in a manner that is free from those cultural biases, and foregone conclusions, which too often drive the way we form opinions.
James 2:9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 12 So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!