Exodus 23:6
“6 You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute.”
Justice is not a suggestion in Scripture—it is a command.
Time and again, the Bible emphasizes fairness, truth, and the defense of the vulnerable. In Exodus 23:6, we are reminded: “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.” This verse is part of a larger body of instruction that God gave Moses to guide a just and moral society. It speaks directly to those who would abuse their power or withhold justice from those with fewer resources or less voice.
Today, I stand before you not as a man looking for revenge, but as a father seeking justice—for myself, for my children, and for the truth that I believe they must learn and live by. This message is not about bitterness. It’s about timing, righteousness, accountability, and legacy.
I. God’s Concern for Justice in Personal Conflicts
Let’s be clear: the Bible does not condemn the act of seeking justice through legal means. In fact, it supports it, when the motive is to uphold what is right.
In Exodus 23, God tells His people to be fair in legal matters—especially toward the vulnerable. While the verse mentions “the poor,” the principle is broader: never let someone’s lack of power, resources, or influence be used to deny them fairness. That includes fathers, children, and anyone who has been left voiceless in a conflict.
I’ve spent years carrying the weight of a broken marriage, and more painfully, the collateral damage that has been inflicted upon my children. Their lives have been disrupted. Their innocence has been marred. And much of that comes from choices made by someone who refused help, responsibility, and healing.
My ex-wife, the mother of my children, chose a path of avoidance—refusing to work, ignoring mental health issues, and making decisions that ultimately harmed our family. And while I did my best to protect and provide, there comes a time when silence enables destruction. That time is over.
The lawsuit I am involved in is not an act of vengeance. It is a step toward healing, toward accountability, and toward showing my children what it looks like to stand for what is right.
II. Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
Too often, we are taught to just “let it go.” We are told to keep the peace at the expense of truth. But Scripture teaches that true peace is the result of righteousness, not avoidance.
In Ecclesiastes 3:7, we are told, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” And I believe, wholeheartedly, that this is the time to speak.
I have tried everything else. I have turned the other cheek. I have remained patient. I have chosen grace again and again—not because it was easy, but because I hoped it would bring change. But change without accountability is fantasy.
By taking this matter to court, I am not just defending my rights as a father—I am showing my children that integrity matters. That when someone harms you or those you love, it is not ungodly to pursue justice. It is ungodly to allow injustice to continue when you have the power to stop it.
III. Teaching Our Children the Right Time to Do the Right Thing
Children learn by example. They watch how we respond to difficulty. They observe whether we stand up for truth, or fold under pressure. They will model how we love, how we forgive—and how we fight for what is right.
If I stay silent, I teach my children that it is acceptable to let others violate boundaries. If I ignore the damage done to them, I teach them that their pain doesn’t matter. And if I let fear or guilt keep me from pursuing justice, I am complicit in their continued harm.
But if I act with clarity, dignity, and faith, I teach them that even when it’s hard, it’s still the right time to do the right thing.
In Micah 6:8, we are told, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Acting justly and loving mercy are not opposites—they are partners. Pursuing justice is not incompatible with showing mercy. Mercy can be extended without abandoning the truth.
IV. The Legal System as a Tool, Not a Weapon
There is a misconception among Christians that courtrooms are for the ungodly. That justice should be left solely in God’s hands. But Scripture is filled with examples of God’s people using the law to uphold justice—Paul appealed to Caesar. Jesus answered questions from the Pharisees using legal reasoning from the Torah. The early church appointed judges to settle disputes.
The legal system is not perfect, but it is a tool God can use. And when someone repeatedly refuses to take responsibility, when children suffer emotionally, psychologically, and financially because of negligence or destructive behavior, we are not obligated to stay silent.
We are obligated to protect them. We are obligated to confront wrongdoing. We are obligated to speak truth, in love—but also with strength.
V. Justice as a Spiritual Act
Finally, let us remember: justice is spiritual. When we pursue it rightly, we reflect the character of God. God is not passive in the face of evil. He is slow to anger, yes, but He does not tolerate sin forever.
In Isaiah 1:17, we are commanded: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
I believe God stands with the one who pleads the case of the children harmed by dysfunction. I believe God honors the father who rises—not in rage, but in righteousness—to say, “Enough.”
This lawsuit is not about bitterness. It is about responsibility. It is about truth. It is about modeling strength to those who have watched too much weakness. It is about showing my children that we do not give up on them. That when the time comes to protect them, we will.
The Time is Now
Friends, family, and those walking through similar battles—hear me clearly: it is not wrong to seek justice. It is wrong to stand by while injustice continues.
I move forward with a heavy heart, but with a clear conscience. I do so with the counsel of Scripture, the conviction of a father, and the hope that my actions today will lead to a future of healing, structure, and peace for my children.
Let them see not just a man who endured hardship, but a man who rose with courage when the moment required it. May they learn that the right time to do the right thing—is always now.
And may Exodus 23:6 remind us all: Do not deny justice—not to ourselves, not to our children, and not to the truth.
To God be all the glory, now and forever.
Were you able to glean and grow from this message so God can be further glorified and His Kingdom magnified? If so, I would love to hear from you. Follow this link to get in touch… Let’s pray!
Heavenly Father,
You are a God of justice, truth, and mercy.
Thank You for Your Word, which guides us to stand for what is right—even when it’s hard.
Give us the courage to pursue justice with integrity, not out of anger, but out of love for our children and obedience to You.
Help us teach the next generation that doing the right thing, at the right time, honors You.
May our actions reflect Your righteousness, and may healing come through truth.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
