“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. (Matthew 7:1-5 MSG)
This may be one of the toughest lessons to learn and practice. No one enjoys receiving criticism, even when well-deserved. Why do I pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults? Because I think I’ve mastered whatever I’m complaining about. The primary fallacy in that thinking is that if I have mastered anything it is God’s work in me, not my own. The corollary is that I recognize the fault because it’s something I know a lot about, something deep inside me that is instinctively critical. Most likely this points to my own faults I’ve had to overcome and now I’m jumping on someone else who hasn’t arrived. I’m rarely critical about something I’ve not experienced.
This passage points to the proper attitude when offering correction. Even by those who don’t know the Bible, it’s popular to quote this passage (Matthew 7:1 Do not judge others….) out of context. Jesus is not saying never offer correction. No teacher, parent, or attorney would ever agree to that. What he’s saying first is that if I see fault in another, I shouldn’t act as if I have no fault of my own. The reason I can identify the fault is from my own personal experience. Second, my disposition or approach should be compassionate since my hope is they can overcome this problem as I have by God’s grace.
If I’m asking for anyone to change for my sake, I’m out of line. If I ask anyone to change without relying on God’s grace, I’m asking for personal reasons rather than Kingdom reasons. Corrections derived from self-help is really no help at all (Mark 8:35). I’ve just made myself feel better, but no one is better off for it.
What I must ask myself each time I begin to criticize is what is the purpose? Is it to make me feel better or is it to share God’s grace? I must be careful not to confuse my personal preferences with God’s will for others.
Deep Questions 