What’s wrong with them?

 

 

Have you ever wondered what’s wrong with people? Have you even known? Do you have friends who are always criticising someone else? Do you know any adults like that?

 

Its not much fun to around is it?

 

Jesus says we shouldn’t criticise other people. Do you know why? It has to do with logs getting in the way!

 

Jesus told his friends that when we always criticize other people then we will in turn be criticised. Well its no fun to be criticised is it? Especially if the person is just being mean. It doesn’t really help us to do better. It just makes us feel upset and angry and sad. It doesn’t do any good at all.

 

Jesus had a better idea, he said if you’re worried about how someone is behaving why not go to them and talk it through with them quietly, like a friend, helping them do better by being kind with your words. If they don’t understand, you can always go back and take a few friends with you to help you explain. I’d much rather someone did that wouldn’t you? Then I could think about what I was doing without feeling upset, and my friend could even help me do better. It might not feel as nice as being praised but it is much nicer that listening to a log carrier.

 

A log carrier? Who’s that?

 

Well, Jesus said people who criticise us all the time pick on a tiny thing we do so small it’s a speck but if they looked at themselves they’d see a whole log ( like a tree trunk) of things they would be trying to improve on in themselves, well how well can they see our faults then?

 

So don’t be a picky person (try saying that quickly) be a positive person instead. You’ll help more people and have more friends that way.

 

Isn’t it great to have more than one way of helping our friends with their problems?

 

As well as talking with them (nicely remember!) why not offer to help, too if you can even by giving them ideas of what they could do instead. Wouldn’t you like a friend like that?