We are always wanting to change others, but often forget to look at our own need for inner change. Jesus had a lot to say about the self-righteous hypocrite who condemned others without seeing the “board” in his own eye. We should examine ourselves for a long time before we even consider judging another. The way we act toward others will be determined by our faithfulness to Jesus Christ and our relationship to him. A hurtful act towards another represents the utter poverty we feel in ourselves. When we discover an offensive personality trait in someone else which causes us to over-react, the chances are we have become blinded to it in ourselves. The more arrogance or deceitfulness or cruelty we exhibit, the more we dislike it in others. We will try to hide our weaknesses because in admitting them we fear exposing ourselves to ridicule. So we point to others’ mistakes, inconsistencies and wrongdoings. This, we hope, will make our own inadequacies look better. Of course, this does not work. Instead of finding fault, let us look to find the good in others.
(Esther Carls Dodgen, Flowers Along The Path, p. 322-4)
22 February 2016
