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Wash Your Face

No, today's blog is not about personal hygiene. Today we will look at folks who have the annoying habit of pointing out what they believe is wrong with everyone else, without ever acknowledging their own short-comings. Do you know someone like that? 

Many years ago a woman, who I had never met before, walked up to me and told me that my hair wasn't the right color for my skin tone and that I should not have chosen that color for my hair. I don't know why I bothered, but I explained to the woman that my hair was not dyed; the color was my natural color. Her response basically called me a liar: she emphatically said there was no way the color was natural and walked off in a huff. She was upset with me because I would not admit my hair was dyed...when it wasn't. The fact that she approached a total stranger (me) with her erroneous opinion made it clear that she was used to telling others what she thought, without considering that what she thought might not be true.

Jesus left clear instructions on how not to become like that woman. "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 The Message Bible 

If you know someone who is consistently critical, pray for them. If that someone is you...

Blessings and peace!




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