“To do good is noble, but to teach others to do good is nobler…and much less trouble.” ~Mark Twain
Many of us who are writers and teachers hope, I suspect, to affirm our own nobility by telling others how to behave.* Yet most of us are at least part-time purveyors of the sins we condemn, and spotty practitioners of the virtues we extol.
A. A. Milne, creator of Winnie the Pooh and real life daddy of Christopher Robin, was reportedly a cold and distant father. Beloved Victorian moralist Charles Dickens summarily dumped his wife of twenty years for a 17-year-old actress.
Are we trying to get into heaven by riding the coattails of those we shove?
The Apostle Paul admonishes us to “be a model” to those we teach, “both in word and in deed, in love, faith, and purity.” “Live there,” he says, “be that person…so that your progress is apparent to all…for by so doing you will not only save yourself, but your hearers as well!” (I Timothy 4:12-16)
*Yes, I, as a writer and teacher, am using this post to do precisely that. Please excuse me while I remove the plank from my eye.
As introspective as you are, I doubt you have many (if any) planks left. But it’s always wise to keep searching. May I do the same!
I often wonder if it is better to try to lead others to Christ through our actions, or our words. They both seem important but one must be more important (or more effective?) than the other… right?
Also, this plank really hurts.
;>)
Yes, let me get the plank out of mine too, dear friend. What a beautiful reminder as always. “Part-time purveyors of the sins we condemn, and spotty practitioners of the virtues we extol.” Perfectly stated. I had a hard time for years thinking that I COULD or SHOULD be a mouthpiece for Christ. I was broken. Divorced. Multiple. Health. Bad Decisions. I had faith–but never felt “worthy”. I’ll shout out how imperfect I am and link arms with the other imperfect people to say, “God, help us to love better and be more like you!” I’ll keep doing my best. You are a wonderful example for us, Mitch! We all need reminders, planks pulled out of our eyes, and some falls from virtuous heights!
Your transparency regarding brokenness and past mistakes is humbling, dear Karla, in light of your godliness in the present.
Thank you, dear friend. 🥹
Sometimes it’s difficult to practice what we preach, although we would be all the better for it… Great post though
Very true, Johan (and thank you, btw).
Anytime, Mitch!
Being a good example is certainly something we all should aspire to, however, if we look around we see that people, of all ages, are constantly receiving bad examples. All we have to do is watch tele and we are bombarded with very bad examples of how to live one’s life. Perhaps some of us who are older are way beyond being influenced by the stupidity and selfishness that is so abundant today, but younger folk, whose brains and personalities are not developed yet, are at risk when they watch these programmes, et al, so filled with bad examples… Thank you Mitch for reminding us of something that we must always keep in the front of our thoughts. All the best.
And all the best to you as well, Francisco.
Thank you and good night.
Great advice, Mitch. When I remove planks and I often need to; it’s amazing how that seems to diminish the size of the sliver I see in others.
;>)
Amen, but because of your blog post’s title, I almost didn’t read the post! 😬
How humble of you, Carol. ;>)
😉
Love this – ” . . . “be a model” to those we teach, “both in word and in deed, in love, faith, and purity.” “Live there,” he says, “be that person…so that your progress is apparent to all…for by so doing you will not only save yourself, but your hearers as well!” (I Timothy 4:12-16)”
“Are we trying to get into heaven by riding the coattails of those we shove?”
I love this line. 😆 I’m guilty of being preachy no doubt.
I feel being open about our own mistakes and missteps (planks), can also be helpful in the lives of others and keep our hearts humble. Still, how easy it is to be blind to them, and how hard it can be to be open about them.
So true, Sarah. Humility can serve, it seems, as a sort of penicillin against the disease of pride.
Loved this post!
Thank you, Charlotte.
Was that plank still in your eye from when you sowed your wild oats? Great message, Mitch! 🙂
;>) Thanks, Nancy!
Dear Mitch – thanks for the great post, but please stop researching the sins of my heroes!
;>)
Ouch. And thanks. 😏
Good reminder to all of us Mitch.
As I read this today (January 25), it is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. So appropriate to end with his teaching. Now I’ll work on the plank in MY eye. Great post.
Thanks, Staci.
The guy with the pointy finger looks like he wants to check my prostate! 🙂
;>)
I agree! We all want to tell others how to live, but we rarely want to live up to our own standards. Yet “teach by example” is the most effective way to reach others, and also to keep ourselves in line!
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