EXAMINE SELF INSTEAD OF OTHERS.
By G.
A VERY plain exhortation of the Word of God is, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” 2 Cor. 13:5. Strict attention to this counsel, a daily remembrance of its importance, would save the critical faultfinder a great deal of disagreeable experience. It would save him the bitter feeling that comes of habitually condemning other people, and of murmuringly reflecting against God because of unpleasant circumstances. What is deemed the adverse providence of God, is often the result of one’s own misjudgment. In Rom. 8:28 we read that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” Now the natural tendency is for one to imagine that what he would like to have is the thing that would be for his good. So if things do not come according to his liking, if even the known good thing does not come in the manner and at the time he would like, there arises a real doubt of the truth of the Word. One says, “I know that I love God, yet everything goes against me.” Even the patriarch Jacob talked in that manner (Gen. 42:36) when circumstances looked dark to him. And David made a like mistake (Ps. 73:1-3) when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. Yet this kind of reasoning just reverses the Scripture. If the one who complains in this way would but question his imaginary love of God, question whether the thing he desires would be best under the circumstances, whether he is prepared to make a right use even of good things, it would be far better than doubting the Word of God. The one who doubts God’s promises is always critical of others, and condemnation of others is always an implied praise of self by comparison, tho it be unexpressed. However ardently one may protest his love for God, there is just one unfailing proof of such love. The Spirit gives us the proof by the pen of an apostle, in these words: “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” 1 John 5:3. Now the commandment-keeper loves his neighbor as himself, and men do not condemn themselves. “No man ever yet hated his own5flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” Eph. 5:29. It is far better that examination be of self, and all condemnation be of self, in the light of God’s Word; then one’s life will be a condemnation of evil deeds in others. A consistent life is a far more potent reprover than condemnatory words. The consistent life of faith and patience will experience the working of good out of the providences of God, even in this life of sin and sorrow. It is possible to “overcome evil with good,” but no good ever can come of rendering evil for evil. “Put them in mind,” says Paul to Titus, “to speak evil of no man.”