We know the story of the woman who is taken in adultery and brought before Jesus. The Jews ask Jesus if they should stone her, knowing that in the law of Moses, it says that adulterers should be stoned. Jesus pauses to stoop down and write in the dirt. Finally, he says, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone at her.”
Of course, none are without sin, and one by one, they leave.
With her accusers gone, Jesus tells her that He doesn’t condemn her, and to go, and sin no more.
How easy is it to call out others because of their sin? We might not even realize that we’re doing it. We might be critical of someone in a conversation to a friend or become angry at someone for something we feel they did wrong. We might throw out hateful or cruel words in a moment of frustration or anger.
But what if we could be stone catchers instead of stone throwers?
For example, when someone speaks critically of someone to you, try to imagine yourself in that person’s position. Find something kind to say. Change the tone of the conversation by building people up instead of tearing them down. Catch yourself before you say something critical of someone else.
None of us are without sin. And while sometimes it’s appropriate to help someone repent and change, critical words are often stones better left unthrown.
