The title of our article is not a known direct quote of anyone.  This article is about a mindset that I’ve observed many
times.  You see, some think that if they can find your faults, then you cannot teach them anything.  This is even true if you
currently have no sin in your life (which ought to be the case as we observed in last week’s article – Matthew 5:48, II
Corinthians 7:1, I Peter 1:13-16, etc.).  You see, most able to read this article have committed a sin in the past.  This is why
we’ve obeyed the Gospel and have had our sins remitted (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  It does not matter to the one trying to justify
themselves that you have repented and have made your life right though.  It just matters that they can use something you’ve said
or done to shut you up and make them feel better about their soul damning activities.

     On one occasion I was aware of a situation where a man was trying to teach someone in his family.  This fellow had
certainly lived a sinful life in the past, but had made it right with the Lord (Matthew 9:13 and Acts 3:19; 26:20).  His family
member sure didn’t care about that.  Every time this brother in Christ tried to bring his apostate family member to the truth it
was the old, “well, you use to get drunk” answer.  Then, the old “do not judge” came out of the pocket as the next line of
defense.  Some fail to realize that Matthew 7:1-5 is condemning judgment in hypocrisy, not judgment used to help someone be
restored to God (John 7:24, Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1, and James 5:19-20).  Time after time blame shifting occurred in
their conversations.  The story still goes on to this day wherein this brother in Christ hasn’t been able to see his loved one
restored to the Lord.    

     Brethren, if we try to find ways to ignore those trying to correct us, regardless of their motives, how would you ever get
your life right?  Some people are hypocrites.  Some of them do try to correct us at times.  Brethren, even if Satan rebuked us
with the truth, it would be the truth saving instead of the person telling it (II Thessalonians 2:10).  Listen to the truth, not the
messenger.  Other people’s transgressions do not give us the right to be sinners!  


     Two little boys are jumping on the bed, against the household rules, and the youngest says, “he did it first” as the angry
mother walks into the bedroom.  Do you get it?  Some people sound like a bunch of spoiled brats when they are caught in a
sin.  Instead of simply wanting to adhere to the will of the Lord (Luke 6:46), they immediately blame others for their
transgressions.  

     Notice the following Scriptures which show us with certainty that no one will be your excuse in the Judgment: “Let us hear
the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For
God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil…  Marvel
not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth;
they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation…  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God…  For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad…  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every
man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, John 5:28-29, Romans 14:12, II
Corinthians 5:10, and I Peter 1:17).  Folks, it is the judge in the end we need to worry about.  If an atheist points you to the
right through the word of God, it is that word which will judge you (John 12:48).


     Certainly, we do not give ear to false teachers who are teaching damnable doctrines (Romans 16:17-18, I Timothy 6:3-5,
and II John 9-11).  I am not suggesting that we listen to everyone who opens a Bible.  What I am pointing out is that when truth
is presented to us, we have to be honest enough to think it through.  Whether it is a trusted evangelist, a sister in Christ, or a
stranger in a grocery store; we’d do well to always examine our lives with the truth (I Corinthians 11:31-32 and II Corinthians
13:5).

     I remember hearing a sister in Christ telling about how her Catholic sister in the flesh rebuked her for never fasting.  This
sister in Christ (so I thought at the time and will loosely use the designation from here forward) was confident that anything her
sister said was error since she was a Catholic.  So, this “sister” in Christ tells me that her sister in the flesh pointed her to a few
Scriptures.  She said to me, “like I’m going to listen to a Catholic”.  WRONG ANSWER!  It is not the Catholic who would be
teaching you if you opened the Scriptures and read them for yourself.  The New Testament Law we are under today (Romans
7:1-6 and Hebrews 9:15-17) teaches us that there are occasions wherein Christians are supposed to fast from time to time
(Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, I Corinthians 7:3-5, and II Corinthians 6:4-6).  When I
pointed these things out to this “sister”, she did not say she was wrong.  She asked me if I fasted or not.  She pressed the point
as though if I did not fast she would not have to either.  Regardless of what I did, do, did not, or do not that does not change
what the Scriptures teach.  Regardless of what Catholic it is who shows you a verse, if it is accurately stated from the word of
God it is then the truth (John 17:17).  Brethren, people with this attitude of excusing themselves based on the sins of others will
not get to see our Lord for eternity.  


     While it is certain that hypocrites will be judged when they teach what they do not practice (Romans 2:1-3), let’s delight in
any opportunity we have to make our lives right with God.  I know this, the man who taught me the truth on how to obey the
Gospel is one of the biggest hypocrites I know.  I thank the Lord that I have been blessed to come to the knowledge of the
truth (James 1:21) and I find it somewhat humorous that it was the devil who got me there!
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XXXII   ~   May 4th, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
“If I Can Find Wrong In You, Then I’m Okay”
By: Brian A. Yeager
If It Is The Word of God, The Person Using It Does Not Nullify It
The Sins Of Others Are No Excuse For Our Own
Conclusion