How to reveal your weaknesses

Those of you who follow this site on a fairly regular basis will know that for the past month or so my posts have moved freely between various books of the New Testament. At this point I want to return to a certain order with Romans providing insights for living and minimal departure to other books. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Eventually the posts will be published as a two volume book of insights and reflections on Paul’s great theological masterpiece.

How to expose your own weaknesses


“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” Romans 2:1


Scholars are not exactly sure about the intended recipients of the first few verses in chapter 2, but that does not alter its applicability The point of the verse is that when we judge others we inevitably reveal our own weaknesses. I suspect there is a bit more in the statement than the apostle was aware of. Psychologist speak of projection, that is, seeing in others one’s own weaknesses. Someone said, watch the preacher’s illustrations and you will learn his own problems. Example: If he keeps on using infidelity as an example of human error check with his wife when he brings it up – does she seem a bit worried?
    Sin is a strange animal. At first sight it appears to be perfectly moral. A bit toward the edge, but okay. The major characteristic of sin is its deceptive nature. When questioned it has a sort of “Who? Me?” response. It needs to keep its true nature undisclosed. If Satan would have pointed out to Eve the historical results of her doing nothing but taking and eating the fruit she would never have done it. Every sin, both large and small is an invitation not only to disobey God but also to damage yourself. We often speak of the unintended consequences of an act. Every sin fits into that category. It damages. One of the truly beautiful aspects of eternity is that it will be devoid of all sin. There will be no remorse because no one will ever act against God. Even the desire will be missing.
    Back to projection. Isn’t it a bit scary to realize that a criticism of another announces your own weakness. I know that that is what is done in AA but would you like to do that publicly? Perhaps it might be helpful to ask ourselves what we see in others as less than virtuous. Ask yourself what it is about the other person that bothers you, then determine that you will never get involved in that practice any longer. Of course that does not mean that we shouldn’t discern the actions of others. Jesus encourages us to be aware of false prophets and we can do that by noticing how they live. It is by their “fruit” that we can arrive at that decision (Matt. 7:16-20. See also 1 Cor. 5:9, Phil. 3:2). Evaluation is not the same as condemnation and it is the latter that is wrong.