p. 4 | LORD, IS IT I? by Julia H. Duffie

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 8, 1899

LORD, IS IT I?

By Julia H. Duffie

IN Isa. 65:5 we read of a class who are represented as saying, "Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou." Should one attempt to apply the above scripture to others he would bring himself under the same ban; for that would be saying, "You act in that manner, while I do not; hence I am better than you." Thus the accuser would place himself in the very class which he is seeking to condemn.

It would be well for each one to make sure that he himself does not place a stumbling-block, or cause of discouragement, in another's way by manifesting the spirit described in the text, or by leading others to manifest such a spirit; and, farther than this, never mind to whom the scripture may apply. A self-righteous, condemnatory spirit is throughout the Bible denounced as a very unbecoming spirit for a forgiven sinner to display toward others; hence every careful Christian will be cautious about applying to any one a charge so obnoxious to the Saviour and His humble followers.

If we should see a man kill another, we judge him to be a murderer, and it might become our necessity to testify to that fact. Nevertheless, would it not be well to consider that the seeds of the same crime may exist in our own hearts, only awaiting favorable conditions to germinate? It remains that we place as favorable construction upon the conduct of others as facts will allow, and where we can not justify, to reflect whether we might not have taken the same course under the same circumstances. Lord, help us to "consider ourselves." JULIA H. DUFFIE.