Finger Pointing

Finger Pointing.    Have you ever been the recipient of a finger point?  No, not that finger, the other one, the one we like to point, in judgment, at people.   Oh how we love to flex our digits.  I’m sure, that you, like myself, have been both a pointer and a pointee. Here’s an example of what you might hear a pointer say: “I don’t know how a person can call themselves a Christian, and watch that TV show (or read that book, see that movie, wear that outfit etc.)!”  I have a friend who likes to use comments like this one.  While not mentioning my name, but I know they're referring to me. The pointing part is easy, and the self-righteous feeling we get is really good, but being on the receiving end, not so much.  We try to shrug the comment off, but the feeling of condemnation gets on us like stink on a wet dog!

 What is our role, as Christians, when it comes to fault finding?  Is it our right to condemn? First and foremost, our actions should line up with what Jesus did. The Bible addresses this issue in numerous scriptures. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:1.  So, it seems that it is ok, in fact God encourages us to do so, gently!!  Gently implies that we do so in a loving, burden-carrying, non-judgmental way, and no finger pointing allowed!  When we start pointing out even minor faults in others, we lose track of our own pretty fast.  I think we’re all familiar with this verse.  “How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.”  Luke 6:42. Remember the old saying, when you point a finger, there are three more pointing back at you!!!

When in doubt, go back to Jesus, and how he handled this often awkward subject. It was not Jesus’ habit to point an accusatory finger at sinners.  Remember the woman caught in adultery? “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7.  He did, however, get into the faces of the “religious” folks who had itchy pointing fingers.  Are there instances when we should go to another Christian with the intent to gently restore them?  Certainly!  If we stand back, when a brother or sister is being drawn into a sin that could effect their relationship with God,  we have a loving responsibility to help them.

Before starting on our own personal crusade, we must be sure of what God considers sin, by reading and understanding his word. Paul reminds us that, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16. Finger -pointing isn’t useful, gentle or loving, and rarely discourages the pointee.  Are you familiar with John 3:17?   “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  So, holster those fingers, pardners, and instead start pointing people towards Jesus!