Do Unto Others

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” — Matthew 7:12

This famous passage is often called the Golden Rule because it is one of the most important principles for how we should live.

Treating Others Right

At its core, this verse means that you should treat others exactly the way you want to be treated. This means you should not:

• Say mean things to others
• Talk behind their backs
• Do anything else that you would hate if someone did it to you.

Empathy in Action

Imagine you meet someone at school who has very few friends and gets teased by others. How would you want to be treated if you were in their shoes?

The Golden Rule teaches us to refuse to join in on the teasing or exclude them. Instead, we should stand up for them and urge our friends to stop making fun of them.

This command forces us to think about how our words and actions affect the people around us. We must learn to look outward and think of others, rather than only thinking about ourselves.

Beyond Just “Not Being Mean”

This rule is not just about avoiding bad behavior. It is also a call to actively do good things for others.

Consider these everyday examples:

• When someone is sick: You love getting cards or calls when you are sick. When a classmate or friend is sick, take a moment to call them or send a quick message.
• When someone succeeds: You appreciate compliments when you win an award or get something new. Be quick to compliment and encourage others when they succeed.

Before you act, think about how you want to be treated—and then go do that for someone else.