Self-justification … Not a description any of us would welcome applied to us. But it’s sometimes difficult to tell when we’ve indulged in it—after all, many times we’ve thought through a problem thoroughly, prayed about it, and seen what seems like the obvious solution. The problem with self-justification, though, is that it can blind us to effective, right solutions, because when we’re so focused on our own point of view—on being right—an even better way to handle the situation isn’t apparent to us. In “A Rule for Motives and Acts,” the Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, cautions us about “mere personal attachment”: “Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness” (Manual of The Mother Church, p. 40). When our motives are based in holding adamantly to our own point of view, or “mere personal attachment,” we’re prevented from reflecting those higher qualities of Love Mrs. Eddy speaks of. This should alert us to just how unjustifiable self-justification can be.
Love, one of the synonyms for God, purifies our motives by causing us to be humble instead of adamantly holding to our own view of things.
Years ago I was involved with a local mediation group experimenting with youth mediation. I remember sitting in as a facilitator with a group of young people who had pulled what they thought was a prank on a teacher from their school. The problem was, it was both hurtful and expensive to the teacher and his family. During the initial stages of the process, it seemed both sides—the teacher, the students and their families—were not seeing eye to eye. Clearly, it was time to pray.
