In Luke we read (6: 37-41): "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. . . . For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. . . . And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"
Thus did the great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, warn his followers concerning the evil of unjust or malicious criticism. Although Jesus himself frequently rebuked such unchristian traits as hatred, selfishness, false pride, or sensuality, his motive in so doing was always to bless and heal. Never did the loving Master's censure of evil involve condemnation of person, nor was it prompted by self-righteousness or resentment. His pointed denouncements of sin were based on his spiritual understanding of God's infinite perfection and goodness, of man's eternal, inviolable status as a child of God, and of evil's utter unreality. Such an understanding qualified Jesus always to judge correctly the false belief which needed to be denied and cast out of thought.
Human experience confirms the fact maintained by Christian Science that censorious judgment of others from the limited, unreliable standpoint of material sense not only fails to heal or improve the problems of personal relationship, but has often a detrimental effect on the individual harboring the false concepts fostered by this sense.
We cannot forever ignore the scientific truism that our individual progress and achievement depend largely on the view of God and man which we entertain. A true, spiritual comprehension of man as revealed in Christian Science brings a sense of joy and fulfillment; but if one is continually bearing witness to mortal mind's distorted, faulty concept of a neighbor, relative, or fellow employee, he is likely to find that such an estimate constitutes a stumbling block to his own happiness and success as well as to his neighbor's. This metaphysical point is explained by the following illustration.
Let us suppose that two mountain climbers, both united by means of a long rope, were ascending a steep precipice together and that the first climber, having gained the momentary security of a flat ledge, accidentally tripped over a large boulder directly in the line of advancement. Let us suppose further that, neglecting to remove the stone so that his companion would be spared a similar experience, he forged upward, thinking only of his own progress. In this illustration the first climber failed to remember the rope by which each was bound to the other, and when presently his comrade stumbled over the same obstacle, the first climber was dragged down again to his previous position on the ledge.
Like that of the indifferent mountain climber, who ignores a common obligation to his companion, our own failure to remove from consciousness the stones of personal dislike and unjust criticism of another are in time likely to have an injurious influence upon our own advancement. The divine tie which unites all in eternal brotherhood may be invisible to human sense, but it is perfectly real and tangible to spiritual sense. Thus a misapprehension of our neighbor involves in part a misconception of our own true individuality. Faultfinding, censure, and impatience, if constantly indulged, appear to objectify themselves in ways which limit individual capacity and hide progressive opportunities for growth in good.
On page 9 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy makes the following observation: "During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke. The wrong lies in unmerited censure,—in the falsehood which does no one any good."
The underlying motive always determines the mental fitness of one individual to judge another and reveals whether reproof is intended to be instructive or destructive, spiritually corrective or merely humanly censorious. Jealousy, envy, fear, and so forth, are obviously unfit motives for reforming the sinner and could never accomplish this sacred undertaking. If one is truly seeking, as did the Master, to benefit and bless mankind, one's judgment must be pure enough to separate any offensive mortal traits or practices from man. One's mental attitude and outward approach must be based on humility and mercy, on the impulsion of Love. Successfully to offer constructive advice in such a manner that it will be gladly heeded and followed requires more than a mere human sense of right and wrong; it requires the tender, gentle spirit of our great Exemplar.
Moral courage is a quality of inestimable value to one who is prompted by Love's guidance to call another's attention to some fault. When the reason for uncovering a brother's shortcoming is righteous and when the right time and place have unfolded, moral courage enables the benefactor to proceed with confidence, assured that his remarks will be received in the same loving spirit in which they are given. Kindliness will prove much more effective than a stern holier-than-thou attitude, which makes no distinction between spiritual man and a fallible mortal, but leaves with the object of criticism a mammoth sense of guilt and self-condemnation.
When the courage to speak to a brother concerning some fault is accompanied by the benign, healing quality of love, all may share in the blessing. In James we read (5:19, 20), "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."
A right response on the part of the individual receiving constructive criticism is also necessary if this one is not to be cheated of its blessing. It should be remembered that when God, divine Love, motivates the one who is led to point out in a loving, Christian way the need for correcting some fault, the adviser is merely acting in obedience to divine impulsion. The one giving helpful counsel may have had to make his own demonstration over timidity, fear, or a sense of embarrassment, in order to fulfill his part in the uncovering of error. It is most essential for both parties to keep in mind that the true individuality of all God's children is forever beyond reproach, absolutely perfect, entirely free from error of any kind. A misconception of man is all that ever needs to be corrected.
Our Leader makes the following thought provoking remarks on page 571 of Science and Health: "Who is telling mankind of the foe in ambush? Is the informer one who sees the foe? If so, listen and be wise. Escape from evil, and designate those as unfaithful stewards who have seen the danger and yet have given no warning." To be able to give and take constructive criticism and to do these things in a spirit of love and humility is to fulfill the Scriptural counsels; it is continually to grow in grace and to become more and more receptive to the ever-expanding avenues of health and success as revealed in Christian Science.
