An elderly man who was very near sighted thought of himself as an expert in evaluating art. One day he visited a museum with some friends. He had forgotten his glasses and couldn't see the pictures clearly, but that didn't stop him from airing his strong opinions. As soon as they walked into the gallery, he began critiquing the various paintings.

Stopping before what he thought was a full-length portrait, he began to criticize it. With an air of superiority he began, "The frame is altogether out of keeping with the picture. The man is too homely and shabbily dressed. In fact, it was a great mistake for the artist to select such a shoddy subject for his portrait."

The old fellow was babbling on and on when his wife finally managed to get to him and pull him aside. She whispered to him, "My dear, you are looking in a mirror."

Our own faults, which we are slow to recognize, seem so big when we see them in others. In today's Bible reading, David unknowingly condemned himself when he judged the man who stole the little lamb (2 Sam. 12:1-10).

Instead of being experts in criticizing the shortcomings of others, let's look in the mirror of God's Word and ask Him to help us see our own faults clearly.  — RBC Ministries