View source for Motes and beams!',

'''Back to [[Treasures from J.R. Miller]]'''
----
<p>There is a <em>duty of fault-finding</em>. The Master Himself teaches it. In the Sermon on the Mount, He makes it very plain. We must note carefully, however, <em>where </em>the duty begins. We are to look first after our <em>own </em>faults. &quot;Why do you look at the <em>mote </em>that is in your brother's eye — but do not consider the <em>beam </em>that is in <em>your own</em> eye?&quot;<br><br>
  We must <em>consider the <strong>beam</strong> that is in our own eye!</em><br><br>
  The form of this question suggest that we are naturally inclined to pay more attention to flaws and blemishes in <em>others — </em>than in ourselves; and also that a very small fault — a mere <em>mote </em>of fault in another person — may seem larger to us than a blemish many times greater in ourselves!<br><br>
  Of course, it is far easier to see <em>other people's faults — </em>than our own. Our eyes are set in our head in such a way — that we can look at our neighbour, better than at ourselves. Yet we all have faults of our own. Most of us have quite enough of them to occupy our thought, to the exclusion of our neighbour's faults — if only we would give them our attention.<br><br>
  Really, too, our own faults ought to interest us, more than our neighbour's, because they are our own; and being our own, we are<em>responsible</em> for them. We do not have to answer for any other one's sins — but we must answer for our own sins, &quot;Each one must give an account of <em>himself</em>.&quot;<br><br>
  Also, the responsibility for getting rid of them, is ours. No faithful friend, no wise teacher, can cure our faults for us. If ever they are taken out of our life — it must be by our own faith, our own firm, persistent effort.<br><br>
  It is a fact, <em>that the faults which we usually see and criticize in others — are the very faults which are the most marked in us!</em>In our judgment of others — we show a <em>miniature of ourselves</em>. If this is true, we should be careful in judging others, for in doing so — we are only revealing our own faults! This should lead us also to close scrutiny of our own life, to get rid of the things in us which are not beautiful.