“CASTING STONES”

by Opal Elaine Moyer

     There is an African Proverb that states, "The camel never sees it's own hump, but that of it's brothers is right before it's eyes." Perhaps a truer statement has never been made.


      Christ cautioned in chapter 8 of John, against casting stones against others for their faults. The Scribes and Pharisees had brought an adulteress to Christ, on the Mount of Olives, and told him that according to Moses', she must be stoned for her sins. They wanted to see what Christ had to say, hoping to entrap him with his own words. Yet Christ, in his wisdom, gave the reply, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." (John 8:7) The Scribes and Pharisees, all being flawed human beings, each left one by one until none remained.


      "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." Rarely, does the human race ever heed these words of wisdom.


      Gossip, rumor and passing premature judgment on one's fellow human beings; there are many ways of casting stones at one another. Yet, none of humanity is without flaw; we are, afterall, only human. It is human nature that causes one and all to pick apart the flaws, weaknesses, or "humps", of others; our own "humps" are completely beside the point. It just seems so much easier to point out the faults of others; it's far better for the human ego, than to focus on oneself. Such behavior can surely lead to one's own downfall.


     One needs to remember to "keep one's own nose clean", so to speak, before casting stones of any sort. Though camels, might nip at one anothers heels, human beings should not. All should heed the words of Christ, before casting that first stone. Afterall, one might be only a stone's throw away from their own judgment by another.