Must We "Walk a Mile in Their Moccasins"?

“Don't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their moccasins.”

This American proverb is a good reminder to treat others as we'd want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), making sure we get our facts straight and trying to understand their circumstances before judging their behavior (James 1:19).

But we don't actually need to live their lives in order to judge them correctly. Nor do we need to walk a mile in someone's moccasins in order to comfort them in a difficulty.

God is the only one who can perfectly understand our pain and suffering, but we are designed to help each other through hardship.

When we go through struggles and experience God's comfort, we can share that comfort with anyone who is struggling:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

So let's be careful not to judge things we don't fully understand, and let's be confident to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15).

 💙💙💙

To avoid misunderstandings about Matthew 7:1-4, read Judge Not Scripture Out of Context. and How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture. 

For more insights on comforting others, see Romans 12:15: Rejoice and Mourn. 

NOTE:  

Contrary to popular opinion, this proverb about walking a mile in someone's moccasins isn't a Native American proverb. It became popular because of the poem “Judge Softly” written in 1895 by Mary T. Lathrap.

“Judge Softly”
(source)

“Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps,

Or stumbles along the road.

Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears,

Or stumbled beneath the same load.

There may be tears in his soles that hurt

Though hidden away from view.

The burden he bears placed on your back

May cause you to stumble and fall, too.

Don’t sneer at the man who is down today

Unless you have felt the same blow

That caused his fall or felt the shame

That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows

That were his, unknown to you in the same way,

May cause you to stagger and fall, too.

Don’t be too harsh with the man that sins.

Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain.

Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own,

And it’s only wisdom and love that your heart contains.

For you know if the tempter’s voice

Should whisper as soft to you,

As it did to him when he went astray,

It might cause you to falter, too.

Just walk a mile in his moccasins

Before you abuse, criticize and accuse.

If just for one hour, you could find a way

To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.

I believe you’d be surprised to see

That you’ve been blind and narrow-minded, even unkind.

There are people on reservations and in the ghettos

Who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.

Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I.

Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions

And see the world through his spirit and eyes

Before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.

Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins

And remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders.

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave

In other people’s lives, our kindnesses and generosity.

Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins.”

~ by Mary T. Lathrap, 1895