Remove the plank!

Focusing on other people's faults is a popular pastime. We seem to enjoy trying to decide who among us is the most or the least qualified. This happens in families and on the job, in churches and in the political arena.

But who among us is truly qualified to pass judgment on others? Who are we to determine the best or the worst among humankind's bad lot? Be thankful to God that our salvation does not depend on other people's opinions. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that every one of us is open to criticism. We all fall short of the glory of Christ. "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one'" (Romans 3:10-12).

Not one. Every human being must overcome a lot of fault and error. So, whenever we presume to instruct others—taking on the responsibility to point out their physical and even their spiritual failings—we must expect to have our own faults more rigorously called to account. Scripture instructs us: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:1-2).

Have you noticed how people who enjoy pointing out the faults of others are often doing so to deflect attention from their own failings and ineptitudes? If we find ourselves critiquing others, are we doing so to help them, or to show how "good" or "wise" we are? Are we motivated by outgoing concern for others, or are we driven by personal vanity and a desire for self-exaltation?

Examine your motives. "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all… So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:8-13). Are we showing partiality in our judgments? Have we failed to show mercy?

We will never have a proper perspective for advising others, unless we have first investigated our own lives, and found those areas in which our own mistakes can discredit the advice we may give. Have we understood that when we hold others accountable, we are held accountable, too? "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).

Sometimes, in our roles as parents, teachers or friends, we must advise people to do something we have failed to do ourselves. When this happens, we must always make sure we are giving our counsel in love and humility, not out of a desire to pull others down to our level, and not to exalt ourselves. If we fail to do so, we will not only be condemning others—we will be bringing condemnation upon ourselves.

To learn more about how to apply godly judgment in your life, send for our free booklet The Ten Commandments. Or read it online by clicking on the title.