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Throwing Stones By Robert Berendt I carry a little stone with me -- as a reminder...
y brother and I loved to pretend we were big league baseball pitchers when we were boys. We would make a pitcher's mound and a home plate and spend hours throwing balls into the "strike zone." In time we both developed pretty good throwing arms. We could throw a ball or rock farther than most boys our age.
The incident was reported to the officials, and that afternoon a man came to our school to warn us of the danger that we had put people in. He did not try to find the culprits (or culprit) who did the deed, but the warning and our own consciences were enough. We never again threw snowballs from the hill. Carrying a reminder Not long ago I visited a dear friend, and during our conversation he showed me a smooth stone that he carried with him all the time. It was not a large stone and looked rather attractive since it had been polished. He explained that he carried the stone to remind himself not to throw stones at others. I thought it was a great idea and I have been carrying my own little stone ever since. Casting the first stone?
Jesus knew she was guilty. However, He had not come to judge but to save lives. It must have been an enormous relief to the woman when her accusers left and when Jesus said He did not condemn her. One can only wonder what her thoughts were at this time. The men ready to stone her had sins that also needed to be forgiven. When Jesus said that he who was without sin could cast the first stone, each man left. As Christ wrote in the dust, apparently each man came to recognize that he also had sinned.
It is easy to throw stones, but it is godly to remember that we, too, need to be forgiven. That kind of attitude shows that we value the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Not jumping to judgment
That "bent" toward being judgmental is part of the motivation humans have for throwing stones at each other. Often we deflect criticism of ourselves by looking at others. It seems to make us feel better when we can find flaws in another person. Perhaps our own flaws seem smaller then. Jesus spoke to that in Matthew 7:3-4 when He stated that we are to be sure our own eyes are clear before we reach out to remove a speck from the eyes of our brothers or sisters. Words that break bones
Proverbs 25:18 speaks to the damage words can do. Words are likened to a club, sword or sharp arrow. Proverbs 16:27-28 reveals that words have the power to separate the closest friends and that ungodly men dig up evil about others. Most often those motivated to spread rumors and gossip are people who have very low opinions of themselves and are trying to feel or look better by making others feel or look worse. This is one of the worst forms of selfishness and self-centeredness. We make ourselves feel better by throwing stones at others. Casting blame In Genesis we can read about Adam and Eve. Although they both sinned, they simply could not admit that they were to blame. Eve blamed the serpent, Adam blamed Eve and, in a way, both blamed God. Nowhere in the account is seen the self-examination and repentance that God seeks from humans. To the credit of the members of the gang who were eager to stone the adulteress brought before Christ -- they did look at themselves and slunk away when they recognized their own sins. The lesson leads to a much better life. When we are spiritually strong enough not to require the faƧade of self-righteousness to hide behind as we accuse others, then life becomes much happier and healthier. We can be more like Christ and less like the stone throwers. Practicing
Proverbs 16:21-24 is encouraging. We can add "health to the bones" of others just as Jesus did to the adulteress. It seems His admonition to "go and sin no more" was not lost to this woman because He did not throw a stone with His mouth or with His hand. I carry a little stone to remind me to be more like Him. It also reminds me to practice looking in God's mirror. But whether you carry a stone in your pocket or not, remember not to throw one! Recommended reading To read more about how to stop throwing stones at others in your life and to start thinking in a more spiritual frame of mind, please request our free booklet . Copyright 2008 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: throwing stones judging
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