Psalm 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

We often think about Jesus Christ setting the example for us. At one time WWJD had a strong following as a way of reminding Christians how to act. As with all things human it faded from common use in favor of the next new fad. How easily we forget. God does not forget.

God the Father has set an example for us here in Psalm 9:12 that is repeated often and I would dare say that few if any give credit to God the Father setting the example. It is easily overlooked because of our attachment to words. That example word is inquisition.

What is the first thing you think about when you see inquisition? The Spanish Inquisition? That time period in the church was dark, ugly and full of abuse. Would it surprise you that the root meaning of inquisition has nothing to do with that dark history?

The root meaning of inquisition is to revisit, to tread upon a path to show the way. Well-worn paths in a field or forest are easy to follow, they guarantee you will not get lost during your travels, your sojourn. So how does this example lead us to that point in which we should have remembrance since we are so prone to forgetfulness?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Mark 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Jesus knew what was on people’s hearts. We are being conformed to the image of Christ, so therefor are we not also to perceive what is on the hearts of our fellow man?

Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

We are a perceptive people. We observe. We read. We judge. We even have the ability to read body language intuitively. Perception however is a sensory condition and does not and cannot be depended upon when it comes to the condition of the heart. Why?

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Because we do not even know our own heart, how can we be sure of the heart of another? Our perception of what is going on in others is based first in a connection to our understanding of our own heart. I can see what others do and I know how I felt when I acted that way. It is a vain thing to assume that same actions are based in same heart conditions. You may perceive that something is wrong but do not assume you know the cause.

What I have discovered over the years, in making many mistakes myself, is that the most difficult cause to realize is something I did to elicit a negative response. “What me? What did I do?”

It is always easier to look and say they have a problem than it is to recognize what part in it we play. I am innocent in my heart! Yes, but do they know that? My perceptions of any moment belong to me and will not match perfectly what is happening in the heart of those around me.

That is why Jesus said judge not.