It is amazing how we apply different rules for different people. I recently heard a story that perfectly illustrates this and exposes our own hypocrisy. A family received their monthly Telkom phone account.
It was a bit high, and caused a heated argument and accusations. The husband blamed his wife for using the phone too much. He was quick to tell her that he hardly ever uses the home phone. He almost always makes his calls from his work phone, he said.
His wife responded by saying it is not her, she doesn’t use the home phone either, she makes all her calls from her work phone. The high emotion and loud voices caught the attention of their domestic worker in the kitchen. As the couple looked at each other, they realised there could only be one logical explanation –the domestic worker.
She was called to defend herself. Bright as a button, she was quick to explain. She also, just like the two of them, only uses her work phone!
The problem with hypocrisy is that it is so easy to see other people’s faults and not our own.
All three did the same thing. But for one, the rule was different. Matthew 7:2 says, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.”
What is good for the goose, is good for the gander. Think about this story the next time you use the work phone.
