People Living in Glass Houses

People living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. This current day proverb is generally associated with hypocrisy. In other words, if your house is built on untruths or you are living a less than perfect life (that includes all of us) then we ought not be casting judgment on others -- pointing out their frailties, short-comings, accidents or mistakes.

Jesus said judgment is reciprocal... it will come back to haunt you:

“Stop judging so that you will not be judged. Otherwise, you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. The standards you use for others will be applied to you." (Matthew 7:1-2)

We should be less aware of the faults of others and pay more attention to our own. How foolish to be talking about someones toy boat sinking when you are behind the wheel of the Titanic. Jesus said it this way...

So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to another believer, ‘Let me take the piece of sawdust out of your eye,’ when you have a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to remove the piece of sawdust from another believer’s eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)

There is only one who has the authority to make judgment on others -- the One who is without sin or error.

[God] alone judges the world with righteousness. He judges its people fairly. (Psalm 9:8)

And don't be so smug to think that what you do or say or even think in private goes unnoticed.

God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

After loving God with all our heart, the second most important rule of life to follow concerns how we treat others:

Never get revenge. Never hold a grudge. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Leviticus 19:18)

San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio, TX