Other's Mistakes

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Others' Mistakes

We may make little of them, giving the benefit of the doubt. 

We can do that, or else think the worst, assign bad motives, etc. Which we do probably says more about us than the man who erred. If our blunders are not all purposeful or evil, why should we act as though others' are? Love "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (I Corinthians 13:7).

Others' Mistakes

We may obnoxiously point out every single one, no matter how trivial. 

Need I say more on this point?

Others' Mistakes

We may use them to dismiss people altogether. 

If we are disposed to reject someone or what he advocates, any miscue on his part may be just the ticket we are looking for to vindicate our rejection. Is this not why politicians make so much of their opponents' errors? Honesty compels us to differentiate misstatements from erroneous positions. Galatians 4:4 does not say that Christians can fall from grace. Galatians 5:4 says they can, and that is the truth on the subject.

Others' Mistakes

We may see them as a sign of inferiority to self. 

What is there about us that makes others' mistakes feed our egos? We feel bigger when others look smaller. I am not talking about comfort that comes from knowing I am not the only one who goofs. I am thinking of glorification of self at others' expense, a perverted analysis that may even lead to delight in others' fumbles. The problem in such cases is, we are using the wrong standard. Jesus - perfect Jesus - is the pattern (I Peter 2:21). By that measure, none of us has room to boast.

Others' Mistakes

We may use them to justify our mistakes. 

The preacher saw neighbors working to outdo each other. Another man saw it, too, and decided since so many work from bad motives, he wouldn't work at all! That lazy man was a self-deceived fool (Ecclesiastes 4:4-6). So is the man who says he won't become a Christian because he knows some hypocrites in the church. So are all of us who use someone else's shortcomings to justify ours.

How should we respond?

Obviously, how we respond to others' mistakes depends on many things, not the least of which is what kind of a mistake it is. 

Sin must be repented of

And that may call for rebuke -- gently, please, especially at first (Galatians 6:1). 

False teaching must be corrected. 

Again, when you can, begin by "they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly", as Aquila and Priscilla did Apollos (Acts 18:26). Use more public and stronger measures only when appropriate. 

In the face of any mistake, do this:

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"

(Luke 6:31).

– Joseph Chase, March 2002 –