The Danger of Fault-Finding: Why it Blinds us to the Good in Others

In today’s world, it seems that there is always something new to criticize or condemn. From the latest political controversy to celebrity scandals, there is no shortage of opinions and judgments. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of fault-finding and negativity, but what is the cost of this behavior?

The book of Titus reminds us that “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure” (Titus 1:15). In other words, our perception of things is influenced by our internal state of being. If we are constantly looking for faults in others, it’s likely that we have our own issues to deal with.

I have a friend who loves to write controversial pieces. Whenever I see his writing, I anticipate a controversy, and he never disappoints. One day, he wrote something that seemed fine but because of his reputation, I kept searching for faults in his writing. It wasn’t until I heard a voice in my spirit that I realized I had become a fault-finder.

We all know someone who is always looking for faults in others, looking for something to pick on, a reason to tear into someone. It’s easy to fall into that trap and become like Satan, who goes around looking for whom to devour. The danger of fault-finding is that it blinds us to the good in others and prevents us from being objective. We must learn to see the good in people and appreciate the blessings they bring, even if they don’t agree with our beliefs.

When we are constantly looking for faults in others, we become our own worst enemy. We miss out on opportunities to connect with people and build meaningful relationships. Instead, we become isolated and judgmental, always on the lookout for the next thing to criticize.

Remember, we are who we are because of grace, God’s grace. Let us extend that grace to others and refrain from being adversaries. Let us choose to be brothers and sisters, seeing the good in others and encouraging them on their journey.

In a world where fault-finding is rampant, let us be the ones who choose to see the good in others and build each other up. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. When we focus on the good in others, we become better people ourselves. So, the next time you find yourself looking for faults in others, take a step back and ask yourself why. Is it because of your own issues, or are you genuinely concerned about the other person? When we approach others with love and grace, we create a better world for everyone.