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BREAKING THE GOLDEN RULE “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.” Mat 7:12, If it’s the GOLDEN rule, then it’s the main rule, the first rule. It takes priority over other rules and excuses. It often CANCELS other rules and excuses. One might say, “Well, that’s just how I am,” but the golden rule of Jesus Christ says DENY SELF and CHANGE! One might say, “I don’t care what others think,” but the golden rule of Jesus says, “Repent and START caring." One might say, “I want it this way,” but the golden rule says, “Too bad, nobody else does.” There are times when the golden rule does not apply, such as in cases that justify or cover sin (helping a murderer escape, not reporting strange and suspicious neighbors), but it usually does apply, and most people IGNORE and BREAK the golden rule regularly. The golden rule can be followed only by a GOLDEN HEART, a heart that has been touched and fixed by God himself. Proverbs 23:26 says, “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” But most folks never really give their hearts to God, so they spend their days breaking the golden rule of Jesus Christ. I dare say that most of us seldom manage to get through a single day without breaking the golden rule. Self simply gets in the way of consideration for others. Let me give you some instances where this is common . . . some everyday violations of the golden rule. YOU BREAK THE GOLDEN RULE WHEN YOU . . . I. JUDGE UNFAIRLY AND MISUNDERSTAND SOMEONE. . . Would you want to be misunderstood? Many times I’ve thought “Well, that’s dumb. I wouldn’t have done that.” Then someone says, “Well, he didn’t choose to do it either. It was sort of forced on him.” That changes everything. I broke the golden rule, not by judging, but by judging unfairly instead of righteously, as required by John 7:24. II. GOSSIP ABOUT SOMEONE.....Gossip is the spreading of unnecessary or false information – idle chat that stirs the pot of misleading or harmful information. Would you want others doing that to you? Then don't do it to them. Always speak necessary truth, but never spread gossip. Paul stated the necessary truth that "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil," (II Tim 4:14) but he didn't spread gossip by spreading unproven rumors or unnecessary truths. III. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OR USE SOMEONE......Would you want to be used and taken advantage of? With many Christians, that’s the story of their lives—being used and taken advantage of just because they are humble and won’t fight back. This is especially true in the workplace where unsaved people take advantage of Christians, and it's often true with Christians taking advantage of other Christians. You cannot take advantage of and use people without breaking the golden rule of Jesus Christ. IV. SHOW UP LATE AND KEEP OTHERS WAITING.......Would you want others to keep you waiting and STEAL YOUR TIME while they show up late? You could be doing a dozen things with that time, but they stole it from you by being late. That’s selfish, inconsiderate, immature, and a violation of the golden rule., V. FORCE YOUR WILL ON OTHERS.......Would you want others to force their will on you? By whining, nagging, scheming, and just outright demanding, many people coerce others into doing things that they would not otherwise do. You don't appreciate others doing such things to you, so don't do it to them., VI. ANNOY OR TROUBLE OTHERS.......Would you want to be annoyed or troubled by others? Do you appreciate someone running their mouth nonstop in your presence? Then shut your own mouth. Do you appreciate someone always making critical remarks to you? Then how about a little more kindness in your own speech? Would you like for your neighbor's barking dog to keep you awake all night? Then don't have a such a dog yourself.I'm serious, folks. The golden rule is one of the most violated rules in all of God's word., VII. ALLOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITES TO FALL ON OTHERS.......Would you want others to allow their responsibilities to fall on you? Anyone who works around others on a daily basis can tell you stories of people who neglect their duties simply because they know someone else will have to do the work. It doesn't bother them to see THEIR jobs being performed by someone else, yet if asked to do someone else's job, they nearly have a heart attack. Such a person lives in constant violation of the golden rule., It is my duty as a Christian to go the extra mile, not to look for ways to leave my responsibilities for others to perform. If I do so, I break the golden rule. These are just a few examples, but very real and common examples of how we break the golden rule of Jesus Christ on a daily basis. God help us! “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.” Mat 7:12