AMONG OTHER THINGS, actress Elizabeth Taylor is known for her love of diamond jewelry…

On one occasion, she was attending a social gathering where one of the guests noticed the large diamond that she was wearing. “That’s a bit vulgar,” the woman remarked. Unabashed, Taylor offered to let the woman try the ring on. As the woman gazed at the ring on her own finger, Taylor commented, “There, it’s not so vulgar now, is it?”

Sometimes, when the ring is on our finger, it doesn’t seem as gaudy as when it is on someone’s else’s finger. For example, when other people buy a nice house or a new car, they are covetous. However, when we do it, it is simply good stewardship. In like manner, when other people’s children misbehave, they are brats. However, when our own children misbehave, they are simply high-strung or energetic. The faults of others often appear big, while our own appear small or not at all.

We need to make sure that when we judge, we are fair. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck our of your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your own eye” (Matthew 7.1-5). Although many people interpret Jesus’ words as condemning all judgment, that was not at all what He was doing. He was rather condemning unrighteous and unmerciful judgment. I know this because on another occasion He commanded men to judge (John 7.24). He simply wanted men to judge righteously (John 7.24) and mercifully (James 2.13).

Let’s make sure that we judge faults in our own lives with the same standard that we judge faults in the lives of others. Sin is sin whether it is in the lives of others are in our own life. It is wrong whether it is in the life of a foe or friend, family or stranger. Wade Webster, Vulgar, The Searcher, 11.14.10, 1

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2.13

Mike Benson