2 Chronicles 23:13c “Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, ‘Treason! Treason!’”
THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK
When Athaliah’s son, Ahaziah, was killed, she decided to usurp the throne herself. So, she killed all the royal family of Judah. This is the woman who had herself committed treason hollering, “Treason! Treason!” That is, as the saying goes, the pot calling the kettle black. She was the ultimate example of hypocrisy. It is like someone striking a match and burning a house down while yelling, “Fire! Fire!”
But do you know what I thought of when I read this? We are the same. We don’t kill people, but we point at their sins and scream, “Sinner! Sinner!” All the while, we are just as guilty of our own sin. When is the last time you have “judged” someone for their sin? Remember, when you point your finger at them there are three fingers pointing right back at you.
TEACHING MOMENT
I bet your little Johnny or Susie have come home talking about someone at school or church. All kids do that. As the parent, you need to nip that quick. Playing judge is not only not right, it’s not fair. As I mentioned above, we all have issues. Some are just more visible than others.
But do your children hear you judging others? Do they watch you putting people down for their “faults”? They will model what they see in you. If you want them to treat others like Jesus, guess what? You have to do the same.
Will you today be extra cautious of judging others? Make a point to see their strengths rather than their weaknesses. Find a way to build them up and not tear them down. You will feel much better about them and yourself at the end of the day.
