Walking a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes

​There are two sides to every coin.  The same goes with the old expression, “You do not know how it feels until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”.  One side of this expression reflects compassion and the need to release pride and arrogance to help those in need.  This positive outlook can help others be humble and hopefully prevent a person from staying in pride.  The other side of this expression pressures others to conform or compromise by emotion-driven standards.  This is the most commonly used reason for this expression.  Having compassion for those in need is very biblical.  Jesus had compassion for those who needed healing, teaching, and a leader (Matthew 9:35-36).  His answer in these situations was not to compromise His teachings, focus solely on those in need, or become like those who were in need but His answer was to anoint His disciples with the power to cast out demons, teach, and heal every kind of disease and illness (Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7; Luke 10:17).  Even His compassion led to obeying the Word of God in helping others receive not only the Word of God but the power of God.  The saying of walking in another person’s shoes is sometimes used to reach emotions and compromise a standard of allowing what is wrong to be excused as correct.  For example, if a person were to commit adultery some would say walk a mile in their shoes because their marriage may not be the best and they found love somewhere else.  This expression is condoning sin for emotions.  The biblical answer to this situation is to work on the marriage to improve it or if there were biblical reasons for divorce that could have been the answer.  Two wrongs do not make a right.  A wrong marriage does not constitute excusing the sin of adultery (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Matthew 5:28; Proverbs 6:29).  Manipulation is considered witchcraft according to the Word of God and is used in this sentiment of emotion excusing sin (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 16:18; Galatians 5:19-21).  Using phrases or methods of manipulation is an effective tool the spiritual enemies of God have used against God’s people.  When emotions can move people, they can be pulled in any direction the enemy wants them to be overcome by deception.  God’s people must view everything according to the Word of God to stand in the last days (Ephesians 6:13).  This phrase of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes has even been falsely applied to Jesus Christ and how He treated people within the Bible.  Jesus discerned every encounter by the hearts or faith of people not by emotion.  Jesus stated many times, “Thy faith has made you whole” (Luke 8:48; Luke 18:42; Mark 5:34; Matthew 15:28; Matthew 9:22).  Jesus also offended people with the truth (Luke 11:42-54; John 6:53-69; John 7:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28).  When Christians are moved by emotions alone they are not being like Jesus Christ but deceived by the enemy as pawns for his desires.  Christians should not be determined to offend people, but they should be determined to be living epistles reflecting the Word of God.  As Christians mature in their relationship with God, they should not walk a mile in the shoes of others but walk a lifetime with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master.  Walking with Him will never lead a Christian down a road that should not be traveled.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.