An Easy Job

Fault-Finding is an Easy Job

Someone has written: “Nothing is easier than fault-finding; no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character are required to set up in the grumbling business.” Fault-finding is an easy job because it requires no preparation and little effort. Yet, many have made it their life’s vocation. They become so wrapped up in the faults and failings of others that they are blind to their own glaring shortcomings.

Paul admonishes Christians to be more concerned with self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). This is not an easy job, but is desirable. One who can see his own shortcomings will be far less critical of the faults of others.

There is a lot of good and a little bad in most everyone. But, we tend to focus on one or two negative things. Then, we ignore dozens of positive ones. No, I’m not suggesting that we ignore the negative. But, I’m not advocating that we highlight it either! Why do we find it so much easier to be critical than complimentary?

We have enough critics in the world.

We need not join the ranks of critics. We have enough critics in the world. Judith Crist said, “To be a critic, you have to have maybe three percent education, five percent intelligence, two percent style and ninety percent gall and egomania in equal parts.” Some of us may be overqualified for this easy job, but that’s no excuse. Any dummy can find fault!

Lest I be accused of being too critical of the critics, I do want you to know that they serve one important function. They show us exactly what a Christian should not be. Remember, “it’s better to say a good thing about a bad fellow than a bad thing about a good fellow.”

On those occasions when we do find it necessary to be critical of others, we should make sure that our criticism is constructive and helpful, not damaging and debilitating. The Golden Rule always applies, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).