"Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her." said Jesus...

By our fallen nature, we tend to think highly of ourselves so much so that unconsciously and habitually, we like to criticise, scrutinise, judge, accuse and even condemn others on the wrongs they have done, even if they have nothing to do with us, but we just want to show how just or how good we are, hopefully to get them the punishment they deserve, or by the laws in those days, "to stone the accused to death".

But, I like this story told in the Bible, where Jesus was confronted with a tricky situation and how he handled it with such impressive superb wisdom, "Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her."

Read the story appended below adapted from the New Century Version of the Holy Bible, John Chapter 8: verses 1-11.

The Woman Caught in Adultery

1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 But early in the morning he went back to the Temple, and all the people came to him, and he sat and taught them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They forced her to stand before the people. 4 They said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband. 5 The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this. What do you say we should do?" 6 They were asking this to trick Jesus so that they could have some charge against him. But Jesus bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he raised up and said, "Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her." 8 Then Jesus bent over again and wrote on the ground. 9 Those who heard Jesus began to leave one by one, first the older men and then the others. Jesus was left there alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus raised up again and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one judged you guilty?" 11 She answered, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "I also don't judge you guilty. You may go now, but don't sin anymore."

So, the next time before we "throw a stone at someone" again, be very sure that we have not sinned or made any mistakes before. If we are honest with ourselves, we agree that we all have our blind spots that stop us from seeing our own mistakes and weaknesses clearly, but we always carry spotlights that expose others' weaknesses right on and we thought we could see them so clearly that we begin to criticise, scrutinise, judge, accuse and even condemn them.

As a result, we begin to think, behave and act like god and live a life we think is holier-than-thou. Prolonged indulgence in such attitudes and behaviours would rob us of our compassion for people and passion to help others who are facing challenges in their health, relationships, career, business, personal emotions, financial etc. Constant self-reflections and self-examinations would help us regain our mental, psychological and spiritual balance in life.