We see people here and there – when we take a walk in the park or take a stroll in the mall. At times we can’t help but say a word or two about a certain individual whom we find weird or out of place. We make a side comment.
I stumbled upon this verse in Proverbs while I was having my quiet time:
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” – Proverbs 11:12 (ESV)
Sometimes we ‘just can’t help it’ but conjure something in our thoughts as an opinion towards other people. Lately I was made aware of this developing habit in me. A habit of taking a look at other people and finding something wrong. This verse opened up my eyes to this dangerous growing habit. I praise God that I stumbled upon this verse early on.
How do we change this habit?
By renewing our minds. We have to see people in a different light – that there is always something in someone which is good.
“Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him.” – Emerson
We have to take off that mindset of judgmentalism and take on a mindset of humility. Look at yourself. Focus on your relationship with God and with the things you need to work on in your life and attitude.
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:4-5
Have you taken those planks off your eye? I know that I still have some – at that I still cannot see clearly to clean other people’s eyes too.
“I shall pass this way but once; any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindnes that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” – Taken from the book ‘How to win Friends and Influence People’
I love this short principle. Any good that we can do anyone, let us do it. We only get to live one life. Do not delay that ‘good job’ or ‘you look great today’ or ‘I like your voice’ to the person who deserves it. Do not withhold something you don’t need to eat to a starving person. Do not keep your ‘I love you’ from your mom or dad who’s longing for your affection.
Any good we can do, let us do it now. Do not delay. This practice will change your mindset and will take off those nasty side comments from our minds.
