Judging Others and Excusing Ourselves

We humans are interesting creatures. Our hearts are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Case in point: We’re quick to justify our own actions; yet we’re slow to accept any justification for others who display similar actions. For example, have you ever noticed when the other person takes the time to do a job well, he’s a slowpoke or lazy; when you take your time, you’re being careful and deliberate. When she says what she thinks, she’s being spiteful; when you do, you're being frank. When she buys a big ticket item, she’s wasteful and selfish; when you spend lots of money, you’re discerning and driven by quality.

When our political opponents fall into immoral behavior, we talk about character and personal accountability; when our allies fall, we talk about forgiveness, forgetting the past and moving on. When someone picks flaws in things, he’s bitter and critical; when you do it, you are perceptive and well informed. When he is mild-mannered, you call him weak; when you are, it’s called being gracious and kind-hearted. When someone dresses well, that person is extravagant; when you dress well, it is tastefulness and class. When he takes great risks in business, he’s foolhardy; when you do, you are a brave investor.

When your neighbor doesn’t like your friends, he’s prejudiced; when you don’t like his friends, you’re a good judge of character. When she tries to treat someone especially well, she’s a self-seeking flatterer; when you try it, you're being helpful and considerate. When the other person acts in an assertive manner, they're being ugly; when you act that way, it’s nerves and having a backbone. When the other party leaders downplay the transgressions of their members, they are disingenuous hypocrites; when our party leaders do it, they’re playing team ball. When others are set in their ways, they’re inflexible; when you are, it’s firmness and standing on conviction. When the other guy breaks the commandments of the LORD, he’s a dirty sinner; when you do it, you’re a victim of human impulses.

I believe the best correction is self-correction that's empowered by the Spirit of God (see 2 Corinthians 3:8). Instead of excusing ourselves and judging others, we should do the opposite: Look beyond the shortcomings of others and harshly examine our own. It should be clear by now, for all who have eyes to see, that no one person or race is the patent holder of wickedness, and no particular political party has a monopoly on iniquity. Sin crosses the aisle every day. So, how should we then live? I would encourage all to meditate on the words of Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of evangelist Billy Graham. She states, "Revival begins when you draw a circle around yourself and make sure everything in that circle is right with God." That's the key.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ~ Socrates

“The examined life is no picnic.” ~ Robert Fulghum

"Examine yourselves [not the other guy] as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5

"So then each of us shall give account of himself [not the other guy] to God." ~ Romans 14:12

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be. ...You will never be an inwardly religious and devout man [or woman] unless you pass over in silence the shortcomings of your fellow man, and diligently examine your own weaknesses.” ~ Thomas à Kempis

Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!

My latest book, The Spiritual Awakening of America: How God Uses Pain to Prepare Us for Revival is an urgent call for national restoration. By leaning on Biblical principles found in passages such as 2 Chronicles 7:13,14 and 16:9, we can spark a revival that spreads across our nation like a prairie fire! Click here to learn more.