Due Process for Life
Killing one-sided stories
Have you ever served Jury Duty?
Imagine sitting in the court room. A defendant sits behind a desk in a suit and cuffs.
The prosecution sends their first lawyer to make his opening statements. After listening to a powerful speech, you watch him return to his seat.
His fellow attorney takes the floor next and begins another powerful speech. After she returns to her seat, you’re a tad confused.
Where’s the defense?
The defense attorneys begin to rise from their seats but the judge calls order and tells them to sit down.
A moment of awkward silence passes…
A third prosecutor takes the floor! At this point the evidence is mounting, and he simply needs to tie a bow on the case.
When he sits, the judge addresses the jury and asks you if you are prepared to decide.
How would you feel?
Hopefully you’d ask for cross-examination! What response does the defense have? What might be learned from the right questions? What are the gaps in the prosecution’s story?
We’d consider a one-sided court case to be an injustice.
Outside the courtroom many act differently.
Many reputations are destroyed on one-sided testimonies. There’s no court of appeals with gossip and slander. Too many conflicts are closed before anyone really listens to both sides.
Hearing multiple people is not the same as multiple positions. Your friends may be feeding you multiple versions of the same side. The algorithm may be filtering out the cross-examination without your knowledge.
Be slow to conclude a matter. You won’t be able to judge wisely without hearing all sides. You won’t be able to hear anyone well without taking time for the hard work of listening.
Is there anyone you’ve judged prematurely? Is there a situation you’ve closed without due process? Is there a friendship that was cut short by a mistrial?
It is hard work in a broken world to listen to all sides in tough situations. This loving act of listening is the path of the Spirit’s wisdom in the world.
Don’t swing your gavel just yet, Christian!
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
Proverbs 18:17