Most of us are tempted to be judgmental and critical—to examine other people’s sins more than our own. It starts out as a bit of an indulgence—just yielding to a little innocent temptation to drop a word of criticism and cynical barb—a little witty jab into the conversation. It feels good and it draws a laugh from shallow people.
Before long it becomes a way of life, we are characterized by it. By the time a few decades have passed that critical spirit has lined our face and darkened our eyes and people are eager to avoid us.
Do not yield to this sin—yield to the impulse to love and kindness and mercy and when you are old there will be joy in your eyes and people will gather around you for a life-giving word.
