A few days back I stumbled across this quote from the great author Max Lucado
Conquer yourself rather than the world.
That’s a pretty simple yet powerful thought. I know there are lots of times when I personally get so concerned about how others act and I think I do set out to conquer them. But this simple thought about conquering yourself will more than likely have more of a profound impact of those around you then your brutal up front onslaughts!
I also read a few days ago about some “Christian” comments that people had made to other folks. I found this one incredible entertaining and heartbreaking at the same time
“I have removed the moat from my eye and I can know clearly see you are going to hell!” or something like that
That is just so wrong. We are not to attempt to ‘fix’ others in that sort of way. Look at how that little spiel from Matthew reads in the Message:
1-5“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:3-5 The Message (MSG)
So today, work on conquering yourself. I think it will amaze us how that action in the end actually does conquer the world!