I think one of Satan’s greatest strategies to keep people from growing in God’s purposes is to get us to focus on the faults in others. On one occasion, Jesus spoke a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector that went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed thanking God that he wasn’t like other men with their offensive sins, and boasted quite highly of himself because of the openly religious life he lived. The tax collector on the other hand, hung his head low recognizing his sin and asking only for mercy. Jesus assured that the latter would be justified- forgiven and accepted by God- not the first, because “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”.
We hear that parable and think, What arrogance! Who did that guy think he was? How could he be so proud of his supposed godliness, while at the same time demeaning his fellow man. Well, I think it is all too easy to fall into the same behavior we just don’t realize it. Are we really much different when we look at corrupt politicians or hate crimes (or whatever really sets you off) and think we are pleasing God just because we are not like them? How about when my most common prayer is, Lord, change my husband so we can have a better marriage? I mean, I know I am not perfect but I don’t have near the issues that he does.
Jesus said, Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)
If Jesus himself said he came not into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him may be saved, where do we get the idea that we are to pass judgment as if we were the prosecuter, judge and jury. When we judge others, we are inviting judgment on ourselves, and you can be sure sooner or later it will come. Not only that, as long as I am focused on my husband’s shortcomings or my friend’s, I am not inviting the Lord to show me mine. The only measure I should be looking at is how I attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. And since I have a long way to go, I’d better concentrate on knowing Christ more and practicing his love, kindness and forgiveness to others even as God does toward me. (Eph. 4:13, 29-32)
James commands us to be doers of the word, because if we only hear the word of God and even agree with it BUT we don’t live according to that which we hear, we can be likened to a person that sees himself in a mirror and forgets what he saw. Like the guy that walks past a mirror and realizes he needs to comb down that cowlick, or a girl that sees she needs to wash a smudge off her cheek, but when they walk away they forgot what they saw and wonder why everyone looks at them funny.
The word of God is truth- absolute, non-negotiable truth- the same for you as for me as for every other person on the planet. So if the Bible says my gossiping or anger or unforgiveness is sin, it is no less sin than is lying, stealing or committing adultery. Of course, some sins do greater damage to relationships and have irreversible consequences, but God’s truth is sin is sin and the penalty for all sin is death and separation from God. But God loved us so much that while were yet sinners he sent Christ to die for our sins that we may be reconciled with him. Now, every time that I come to him and confess my sin (MY SIN, not that of someone else) He is faithful and just to forgive me my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. That’s a great invitation and guarantee.
I remember one night driving home late and a car in front of me started swerving into the next lane and then back and then over and again. In my concern for safety, I got so focused on watching that car that I almost turned into a car that came up beside me. Thanks to God and my little blind-spot mirror I saw it in time. I think the worst distraction we face in this area is with those closest to us, because not only do we not ourselves grow in grace and knowledge, usually we become quite the stumbling block for our loved one as we point the finger at them and stand in God’s way trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Believe me, it just does not work but backfires every time. One of these days I’ll learn.
Don’t be blindsided by your blindspots. Let’s look closely at the Word of God and examine ourselves (thoughts, words, attitudes and actions) by it, not by what others are doing. Humble yourself today and ask God to work in you to will and do of his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). And I assure you he will in his abundant grace and patience.
