By
Dana Rausch
/ October 17, 2012
People Who Live In Glass Houses Should Not Throw Stones – A well-known phrase – rich in meaning…….The free dictionary defines it as: something that you say which means people should not criticize other people for faults that they have themselves….
GoEnglish.com says: this phrase reminds us that we should be careful how we treat other people (with our words and actions) because we can all be easily hurt.
In an argument with myself, trying to justify my own actions, I questioned – since I don’t live in a glass house but a stucco one, does that give me the right to throw stones? J
Because of recent circumstances my hands have been full of rocks…… Yesterday after waiting 10 months, we received thousands of dollars due us. Instead of following court rules and giving a cashier’s check, we were given two company checks. Written on the bottom of one check was a duragatory slur directed toward my husband.
Being rather upset… my hands were packed full of rocks and ready to begin catapulting…..
· A picture of the check showing the slur was going on facebook…
· Everyone I talked to was going to know what these people were really like…
· I wanted to embarrass them…
· I wanted retaliation…
As I raised my arms to sling my well deserved stones….a still small voice said…..before you throw that first one…could we have a little conversation?
Arguing, I began to tell the Lord that I was justified! They were wrong…and I was right and it was important that everyone know!
Patiently and quietly He asked….
· Have you ever waited to pay someone you owed money to?
· Do you want gossip going around about you?
· Do you enjoy being embarrassed?
· Do you like your weaknesses exposed for others to see?
Hearing those questions I let a few stones drop…..
John 8:1-11 reminds us of a “stone-throwing” situation brought to Jesus. Caught in the act of adultery a woman is dragged out by the Pharisees and made to stand before the group of men.
The ultimate vulnerability…..
Attempting to set up a trap for Jesus, the Pharisees question him. The law of Moses says to stone her…..what do you say? Jesus bends down and writes in the sand.
Was it His way of not exposing her more than she already was?
As they continue questioning Jesus, he stands up and says, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” While Jesus bends down once again and writes in the sand, one at a time they begin to go away.
He stands and asks her “Where are they? Has no one condemned you? No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Dropping the remaining stones in my hand….I pondered three Biblical truths:
· No one is without sin. (Romans 3:23)
o And I am the greatest of sinners….so how can I point fingers?
· Treat others as you want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)
o Would I want to be treated the same way they treat me? Probably not.
· Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)
o God will take care of the outcome.
I am going back inside my glass house now…..
First to wash my hands…..
Secondly to wash my windows….It seems I haven’t been seeing things clearly………