If when we judged others, our real motive was to destroy evil, we should look for evil where it is certain to be found, and that is in our own hearts. But if we are on the look-out for evil in others, our real motive is obviously to justify ourselves, for we are seeking to escape punishment for our own sins by passing judgement on others, and are assuming by implication that the Word of God applies to ourselves in one way, and to others in another.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

I confess, I have judged others, especially those on the religious right. As Bonhoeffer points out, my real motivation in this act was to destroy the evil I saw in these men and their mission. But, Bonhoeffer is right. I would do better to look for the evil in my own heart, and correct it, than I would to look for the evil in their hearts.

Jesus tells us to look after the log in our own eyes. He also tells us it's what comes out of our hearts that ultimately defiles us. The mission we are to be about as Christians is to look deeply into our own hearts and drive the evil from our thoughts and deeds. If every Christian set this as their goal, there would be no need to judge one another, since we would all be working for the greater good through Christ.

When I looked to find the evil in the people involved on the religious right, I sought only to justify myself. Those on the religious right do just the same. The "ex-gay" ads, the declaration of war against homosexuals and even the Methodist church's move to make ecclesiastical criminals out of its pastors who perform same-sex marriages are all forms of justification for their position.

We seek the evil outside of ourselves to feel better about our own choices and decisions. We seek justification, and hope to escape punishment for our sins by judging others. Bonhoeffer reminds us, God has no favorites, and the word of God applies equally to all. We are all sinners, in need of the healing grace of Christ.

Look into your heart today. Find the evil that resides there, whether it's anger, lust, greed, hatred, envy or pride. Drive out the evil from your own heart and you'll soon see the evil all around you destroyed by the love and grace of God you bring into the world.

Blessings,
Candace