John is the only disciple that records the account of the woman caught in adultery. The scribes and Pharisees brought this woman to Jesus in order to test Him. Jesus dealt with the situation with incredible love and discernment. This was the response of Jesus when the woman was presented to Him:
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7b) Now mind you the religious rulers had just reminded Jesus that her offense was punishable by being stoned to death.
“Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” (v.9)
Then Jesus stood up after each had left asked the woman
“Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?
She said, ‘No one, Lord.’
And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (vv. 10-11)
In this exchange Jesus showed us what walking in love with discernment looks like. Jesus discerned that the scribes and the pharisees were trying to trick him so he challenged them with their own sin. The woman needed two things. First, she needed to be loved by being defended by Jesus. But notice that Jesus defended her but not her sin. Jesus made it very clear that she was to “go and sin no more.”
How often do we find ourselves like the scribes and the pharisees simply pointing out the sins of others demanding that God condemns them?
Jesus showed us the way here that we can walk in love toward others but also do it with discernment. Take note of the following prayer of Paul with regard to love and discernment.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippines 1:9-11)
We are asking God that our love would abound more and more and that it would be in step with knowledge and discernment. The saying that “love is blind” is not true. Love has both eyes wide open. Jesus had both eyes wide open when he dealt with the woman and the religious rulers. The world desperately needs those in the church that can walk in love with discernment.
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Last Updated: December 5, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries
John: the Disciple of Love – Love with Discernment – Part 2
John is the only disciple that records the account of the woman caught in adultery. The scribes and Pharisees brought this woman to Jesus in order to test Him. Jesus dealt with the situation with incredible love and discernment. This was the response of Jesus when the woman was presented to Him:
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7b) Now mind you the religious rulers had just reminded Jesus that her offense was punishable by being stoned to death.
“Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” (v.9)
Then Jesus stood up after each had left asked the woman
“Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?
She said, ‘No one, Lord.’
And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (vv. 10-11)
In this exchange Jesus showed us what walking in love with discernment looks like. Jesus discerned that the scribes and the pharisees were trying to trick him so he challenged them with their own sin. The woman needed two things. First, she needed to be loved by being defended by Jesus. But notice that Jesus defended her but not her sin. Jesus made it very clear that she was to “go and sin no more.”
How often do we find ourselves like the scribes and the pharisees simply pointing out the sins of others demanding that God condemns them?
Jesus showed us the way here that we can walk in love toward others but also do it with discernment. Take note of the following prayer of Paul with regard to love and discernment.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippines 1:9-11)
We are asking God that our love would abound more and more and that it would be in step with knowledge and discernment. The saying that “love is blind” is not true. Love has both eyes wide open. Jesus had both eyes wide open when he dealt with the woman and the religious rulers. The world desperately needs those in the church that can walk in love with discernment.
Category: The Love of God
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