It Starts Small

It is easy to judge others; but it takes courage to show compassion.

Today’ we are going to look at the way towards responding ‘s scriptures guide us to the way towards a response of forgiveness and love that can inspire others towards recovery and right living.

³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume ³⁸ and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.

Luke 7:36-38

When we see others living in sin, we are quick to judge and reluctant to forgive. God’s Word teaches us to pursue the opposite. Our response to sin needs to be Christ like and is seen throughout God’s Word and the example of it is the beautiful account of Jesus being anointed.

While Jesus was in Bethany dinning with Simon, an immoral woman came in and anointed His feet with her tears and perfume. The disciples were appalled, Jesus lovingly accepted her expression as an act of adoration and respect. Instead of focusing on her sin, He honored her courage. He forgave her of her sin.

Courageously avoid judging others by asking yourself:

• AM I willing to be judged in the same way I am judging others (Matthew 7:1-2)
• Am I unwilling to place stumbling blocks in the path to others? (Romans 14:13)
• AM I willing to forgive others so I can be forgiven? (Matthew 6:13-15)
• AM I willing to show my love to God by being kind and forgiving towards others? (Colossians 3:12-13)

Jesus teaches us forgiveness and love, rather than mistreatment and judgment.

Is there someone you are currently judging?

Pray for that person and determine a way you can encourage them today.

© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.