Take a Good Look - Looking at Yourself Before Looking at Others

Galatians 5:25 - 6:1

If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Spirit-living” or “Spirit-life”? If you have been around the Christian faith very long, I suspect you have. Simply put, it means that the Christian life is to be lived in the Spirit of God. We are to be filled with the Spirit, controlled by the Spirit, consumed with the Spirit, guided by the Spirit and walk in obedience to the Spirit. That is what is meant in Galatians 5:25, “If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.” When we are saved, it is the work of God the Spirit. And just as our new life is FROM the Spirit, this new life in Christ is to be lived out everyday IN the Spirit.

As Christian followers, we know that life in the Spirit means we are to put Jesus first in our lives. We are to live in surrender to Christ, and then unselfishly seek to serve others’ interests before our own. But there is another part of that truth. There are times we are to first look at ourselves before we look at others. This principle comes into play when we are dealing with sin.

Look at Yourself

In Galatians 5 you will find the passage that teaches us about the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of the flesh. As Galatians 6 begins, the Apostle Paul writes, “each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.” The context of this passage relates to those of us that are restoring a wayward brother or sister in Christ. We are to do that gently and kindly. But we also are admonished to be sure that we are not caught in temptation as well. The principle for us is to first take a deep look into our own hearts, dealing with our own sin before we start looking into the lives of others.

When I was in high school, a Bible teacher I had would say, while pointing his finger in our direction, “remember, I have three fingers pointing back at me.” He said it so much that it was a bit corny. But truthfully, it was good for me to remember. The Apostle Paul warns us about being conceited and arrogant. We are to run from pride and ego. And the way we do that is by “looking to yourself.”  We are first to take a good look at ourselves and deal with our own issues. 

James 4:10  says, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.” 

So let’s be sure we have it straight. First take a good look into our own hearts. I really like the way Galatians 6:4 says, “But each one must examine his own work.” Take a good look inside, and see what God might reveal. 

Look at Others

Notice what the Bible says in Philippians 2:1 - 4,

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

There are some phrases in these verses that simply stop me in my tracks. 

• “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit”

• “Consider one another more important than yourselves”

• “Look out for the interest of others”

The Christ-life is to be lived with others, in a “one another community,” experiencing a loving and kind relationship with one another. We are to live in fellowship, and part of being fellow believers means helping one another, encouraging one another, and strengthening one another.

This is a risky blog for me to write. I have been around Christians long enough to know that some will take this as permission to go hunting for some sin in the life of the believers around them. If you are having those thoughts, then please stop and reread the first part of this blog. Start by looking at your own heart. Deal with your own pride. Then go back and see how the Holy Spirit may be guiding you to HELP someone else. 

All of this started with the idea of being Spirit led, Spirit filled, Spirit controlled and Spirit consumed. I plead with you to put on the Holy Spirit and all His fullness!