When the queen in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” looked into a mirror and asked, “Who is the fairest of them all,” she was not happy when the honest answer applied to Snow White, not herself. A problematic area for all possessed with pride arises when we do not see what others see, when judgment becomes clouded by ego. While this attribute may be more prevalent in those not filled by the Holy Spirit, God warns Christians of the harm we can cause with the same action.
39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. 41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:39-45
What do you see when you look into a mirror? We should see a sinner saved by grace staring back into our own eyes, a veritable "Plankenstein!" New believers typically walk in a freedom that sometimes can seem like ancient history to more mature believers. Having a great burden lifted from their shoulders in the Lord’s forgiveness of sins brings exultant joy. Unfortunately, the next stage after that joy typically is legalism. When God removes sinful areas from our own lives, we often see that same sin in the lives of others and come down hard on them. Yet God is the one who cleans our lives. His process may operate in a different order for different people. Rather than judging and condemning our Christian brothers and sisters, we should encourage them in their walks with the Lord. An old saying reminds us that we can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar, and in the same manner, people respond to love.
When Paul looked into the mirror, he saw the chief of sinners, not an eloquent, educated preacher, teacher and author:
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:14-17
God chose to use Paul to write a majority of the New Testament. If anyone could have been blindsided by spiritual pride, Paul would have been in front of the line with the might of his ministry for the Lord. Yet Paul never lost sight of the man who violently had persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ. When God removes our sins, He places them behind His back (Isaiah 38:17), casts them into the depth of the ocean (Micah 7:19) and removes them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Though we no longer should allow those sins to weigh us down, it is healthy to remember the brokenness that we both felt and caused by our sins. That healthy reminder is a wonderful gift when faced with a fellow believer struggling in a sin God has swept out of our lives. Without Him, we are nothing! Without His forgiveness, we are dead in our trespasses. Without His grace, we are unsaved sinners. Rejoice in the gifts He has given and share that joy with your Christian brethren, without judgment or condemnation!
and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Romans 2:19
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