{"id":28957,"date":"2020-12-25T15:04:47","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T21:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=28957"},"modified":"2020-12-25T15:09:30","modified_gmt":"2020-12-25T21:09:30","slug":"button-that-pocket-soldier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/button-that-pocket-soldier\/","title":{"rendered":"Button That Pocket, Soldier!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

by Jefferson David Tant<\/p>\n

A retired Army officer recalled an incident when he inspected some recruits who had just finished basic training. He stood right in front of one, making the young man quite nervous.<\/p>\n

\"\"The officer noted an unbuttoned pocket flap on the private’s shirt, and barked out in his best authoritative voice, “Button that pocket, soldier<\/strong>!” Now a few shades of red, the private looked around and nervously asked, “Right now, sir?” The officer responded, “Of course, right now. When did you think I meant for you to do it?”<\/p>\n

The soldier then did something quite out of character as to what a private would normally do to an officer. He gave the officer his weapon and then buttoned the officer’s shirt pocket. Needless to say, the officer was somewhat chagrined.<\/p>\n

Does this remind you of something Christ taught? “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye<\/em>.” (Matthew 7:1-5).<\/p>\n\n

But why is it that so often we see the speck in another’s eye, but fail to acknowledge our own shortcomings and failures? One reason might have to do with pride. I suppose most of us think we are pretty decent folks. But too much self-esteem may make us oblivious to our own faults. The Pharisees seemed to have a problem with this. Christ addressed the matter of pride when one chose a seat at a wedding feast. The self-important man came in and sat down in a place of honor, but then was moved when a more highly respected man came in (Luke 14:8-11).<\/p>\n

It is sometimes true that those who are the most critical are the ones who might need the most criticism themselves, thus they try to hide their own shortcomings by pointing fingers at others. But we must remember the old saying which reminds us that when we point a finger at others, there are usually three fingers pointing back at us.<\/p>\n

The whole point of Jesus’ teaching is that we should not be so quick to criticize before we consider ourselves. There are times when we do not understand the circumstances of the other person, or we may have received wrong information, or it may simply be a matter of judgment that doesn’t involve sin. It’s just a difference of opinion.<\/p>\n

But when we do feel some criticism is in order, there are some guidelines that should be observed.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. “Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy<\/em>” (Proverbs 31:9). We must be sure that our motives are right, and we are not just venting some pet peeve we have.<\/li>\n
  2. “He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him<\/em>” (Proverbs 18:13). Be sure that we have all the facts before making a judgment. When the Pharisees were seeking to have Jesus arrested, Nicodemus asked,<\/em> “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?”<\/em> (John 7:51).<\/li>\n
  3. “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted<\/em>” (Galatians 6:1). Be sure that we approach in the right spirit. A censorious, harsh spirit is not designed to encourage the offender but indeed may drive him further away. Paul further comments on the right spirit in II Timothy 2:24-25: “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.”<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Criticism is sometimes needed, just as in driving a car, the steering must be corrected to keep the car on the right path. But let us take heed that we both give and receive criticism in the right spirit.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    by Jefferson David Tant A retired Army officer recalled an incident when he inspected some recruits who had just finished basic training. He stood right in front of one, making the young man quite nervous. The officer noted an unbuttoned pocket flap on the private’s shirt, and barked out in his best authoritative voice, “Button…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[794,1598],"class_list":["post-28957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-criticism","tag-rebukes"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11368,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-right-for-a-soldier-to-kill-in-war\/","url_meta":{"origin":28957,"position":0},"title":"Is it right for a soldier to kill in war?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 18, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Shortly after my fiance and I get married I will deploy to Iraq for the first time. I, being an infantry soldier, am trained to kill. It has always been a major concern of mine to kill in war, and I wonder if this is a sin recognized by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":53739,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-can-a-christian-serve-god-when-the-military-rules-are-not-conducive-to-serving-god\/","url_meta":{"origin":28957,"position":1},"title":"How can a Christian serve God when the military rules are not conducive to serving God?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: My husband is a soldier in the military. Currently, he is on a 14-month deployment (technically, he's overseas for 9 months and training during the other time). He is adamant about not reenlisting being that he has not been able to worship, nor will he be able to unless\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":55694,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/conversions-from-a-funeral-sermon\/","url_meta":{"origin":28957,"position":2},"title":"Conversions from a Funeral Sermon","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 11, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Etim Abidiak via\u00a0For a Better Understanding, Vol. 50, No. 5, September \/ October 2012 Four weeks ago, I preached at the funeral of a late brother who served the Nigeria Police and was of the rank of Inspector. His name was Mbre Jack. His funeral was attended by many\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45134,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/augustus-h-f-payne\/","url_meta":{"origin":28957,"position":3},"title":"Augustus H. F. Payne","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 25, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"by Earl Kimbrough via\u00a0Biblical Insights When the dark and angry clouds of war gathered over the nation in 1860, some pacifist gospel preachers in Missouri drew up a document pleading with their brethren to refuse to take up arms in the conflict. Entitled\u00a0Circular from Preachers in Missouri, the paper was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Augustus-H-F-Payne-228x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":30789,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-wrong-to-report-less-than-what-something-costs-so-as-to-pay-less-tax\/","url_meta":{"origin":28957,"position":4},"title":"Is it wrong to report less than what something costs so as to pay less tax?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 28, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have some questions. Part of my job is running an importing business for my small shop. My supplier asked if she can lower the invoice price to make my tax smaller. Is this a sin? The people at the customs office offered me a cheaper solution to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":26782,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-is-war-different-from-acts-of-retaliation\/","url_meta":{"origin":28957,"position":5},"title":"How is war different from acts of retaliation?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 21, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I read \"Is there any biblical support for war?\"\u00a0 but I don't understand how it fits with\u00a0Matthew 5:38-42 and Luke 6:27-31. Answer: \"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 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