Let us examine our ways and test them.
—Lamentations 3:40
Self-examination is frequently self-deceptive because we are skillful at self-justification. When we compare ourselves with others, we lean toward comparing our virtues with their vices. We are more tolerant of our own weaknesses and sins than of the weaknesses and sins of others.
One who frowns on profanity may see no wrong with her own sin of gossip.
One who damns boozing may see no harm in his own sin of gluttony.
One who is outraged by lying may see no damage in her own sin of nagging.
“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye,” asked Jesus, “but do not notice the log in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:3 NRSV).
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else” (Rom. 2:1).
Only the faultless is qualified
to judge the faults of others.