two Sides of every story

Prayer

Story.… woman caught in adultery

Sermon Title: “There’s Always Two Sides of the Story” Main Text: Proverbs 18:17 – “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

Me: My Struggle with One-Sided Stories

Have you ever been in a situation where you heard one side of the story and immediately made up your mind—only to later realize you didn’t have the full picture? I’ve done that more times than I’d like to admit. Maybe it was a conflict between friends, a situation at church, or even just something I saw online. I remember a time when someone came to me with an issue they had with another person, and without hesitation, I took their side. I assumed I knew the whole truth. But when I heard the other person’s perspective, I realized I had rushed to judgment. It was humbling. I had let my emotions guide me instead of seeking wisdom.

We: We All Struggle with This

We’ve all done this, haven’t we? Maybe a friend vented to you about someone, and you immediately felt angry at the other person. Or maybe you saw a news story or a post on social media and instantly formed an opinion, without ever checking the facts. We live in a culture that thrives on quick judgments—headlines, soundbites, and viral posts that rarely tell the full story. It’s so easy to jump to conclusions and pick sides before we really know what’s going on. But when we do this, we risk making poor decisions, breaking relationships, and even spreading falsehoods.

God: What the Bible Says About This

The Bible warns us about this tendency. Proverbs 18:17 says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” This verse reminds us that the first story we hear often sounds convincing—but we should always be willing to seek out the full picture before making judgments.

King David’s Story – In 2 Samuel 16, when David was fleeing from Absalom, a man named Shimei came out cursing him and throwing stones. He accused David of being responsible for Saul’s downfall. Initially, it seemed like David was getting what he deserved. But later in the story, we see that Shimei didn’t know the full truth. David wasn’t the villain—God had anointed him, and his struggles were part of a bigger picture.

Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery – In John 8, the Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, demanding she be stoned. If Jesus had only listened to their side, she would have been condemned. But Jesus looked deeper. He saw the hypocrisy of the accusers and the need for mercy. His response—“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”—forced everyone to reconsider their quick judgment.

The Bible consistently teaches us to seek truth, listen well, and avoid rushing to conclusions. James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” That’s a challenge in today’s world, but it’s what God calls us to.

You: What Should You Do About This?

So, how do we live this out in our daily lives? Here are three practical steps to help us seek truth, listen well, and avoid rushing to judgment.

1. Pause Before You Judge

📖 Proverbs 18:13 – “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Quote: Charles Spurgeon once said, “Believe half of what you hear; but believe a great deal less than half of what you say.”

Analogy: Imagine you receive a puzzle box, but only half the pieces are inside. If you try to guess the full picture based on what’s there, you’ll likely get it wrong. The same is true when we hear only part of a story—we don’t have the full picture, and assuming we do can lead to mistakes. Taking a step back and seeking more information allows us to make wiser, more informed decisions.

Application: The next time you hear something that stirs up emotion—whether it’s gossip, a news headline, or a complaint—pause before forming an opinion. Ask yourself: Do I have the whole picture? Seek clarity, not quick conclusions.

2. Listen to Both Sides

📖 John 7:24 – “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Quote: Jon Tyson says, “Maturity is the ability to hold tension, to see the complexity of reality, and not give in to simplistic, binary thinking.”

Analogy: Think about a courtroom. A fair judge never makes a ruling after hearing only the prosecution’s argument. Both sides must be presented, examined, and weighed before a verdict is reached. If earthly courts require this level of fairness, how much more should we strive to seek truth in our daily lives?

Application: Before you take sides in a conflict or issue, challenge yourself to listen more. Have a conversation with both parties. Ask God for discernment. When you take time to understand different perspectives, you become a person of wisdom and integrity.

3. Pray for Discernment

📖 James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Quote: Dwight L. Moody once said, “The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not to argue about it, but to lay a straight one beside it.”

Analogy: Imagine you’re walking through a dimly lit room. If you rely only on what your eyes see, you might trip over something. But if you turn on a light, everything becomes clear. God’s wisdom is that light. Without it, we stumble in the darkness of half-truths and assumptions. But when we pray for discernment, God reveals what is true and helps us walk wisely.

Application: Before making a decision about a person, a situation, or an issue, stop and pray. Ask God to give you insight beyond what is immediately visible. When you seek His wisdom first, you’ll be able to see and respond with clarity and grace.

We: A Vision for a Better Future

Imagine if we all lived this out. Imagine a church, a community, and a world where people didn’t rush to judgment but instead sought truth, listened well, and responded with wisdom. How many relationships would be restored? How much division could be avoided? How much peace would we experience in our own hearts?

If we commit to being people who seek both sides of the story, who listen before we speak, and who ask for God’s wisdom, we will reflect the heart of Jesus. We will be people who bring peace instead of division, truth instead of rumors, and love instead of judgment.

Let’s be that kind of people. Let’s be slow to judge and quick to listen. And let’s trust that God will guide us to truth when we seek Him first.

Closing Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom. Help us to be slow to judge and quick to listen. Give us hearts that seek truth and eyes that see beyond first impressions. May we be people who reflect Your love and wisdom in every conversation, every conflict, and every decision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.