![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/changing-black-and-white-200x300.jpg\")
From time to time, we may express our disapproval of those whose practices or demeanor are different from our own. For example, we may voice (or at least demonstrate) our objections to the conduct of some, or toward their attire, or at times even their physical imperfections: the way they sing, read, or even walk. But then, if we are found “guilty of the same faults” (or if one that is closer to us by ties of friendship or blood is found to bear these characteristics), black becomes white<\/strong>, and now it is the accuser who is at fault. In other words, what was formerly objectionable undergoes a chameleon-like transformation and is now acceptable.<\/p>\nBy inspiration of the Spirit, Paul wrote to condemn such an attitude. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest does the same things<\/em>” (Romans 2:1). Even the Romans had the black becomes white<\/strong>\u00a0syndrome! And it was condemned!<\/p>\n Opinions have no place within the gospel of Christ, nor within our lives as Christians. We are told to “prove all things<\/em>,” “walk by faith<\/em>,” which comes only one way. “Faith comes by hearing the word of God<\/em>.” We must have book, chapter, and verse for all things done in His name and for His sake (Colossians 3:17). Under these circumstances, black remains black<\/strong>, and white remains white<\/strong>, regardless of who it is. All must be according to His divine will, and there is no respect of persons (Colossians 3:25).<\/p>\n Even so, there are some things we have liberty in. For example, if we choose to wear prints with stripes, or blue with orange, then as long as the attire is not contrary to God’s laws of modesty, why condemn it in others? Physical differences cannot be helped and cannot therefore ever be condemned. As for the personal mannerisms of others, as long as they are consistent with the requirements of Christ, we have no reason to frown upon them simply because we may not personally approve.<\/p>\n Let us look at ourselves: Are we ourselves walking justly, humbly, and with God (Micah 6:8)? Or, are we on a “one man crusade” to criticize in others things we do not personally care for (but which we would defend if found in those for whom we personally care)? Let us be willing to call sin what it is (regardless of who may be guilty of it), but admit that some things are our personal dislikes and another’s preferences. Then we will be less likely to be guilty of the\u00a0black-becomes-white<\/strong> syndrome, whereby we sometimes accept the very things\u00a0we formerly condemned.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Michael Davis via\u00a0Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 From time to time, we may express our disapproval of those whose practices or demeanor are different from our own. For example, we may voice (or at least demonstrate) our objections to the conduct of some, or toward their attire, or at times even…<\/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,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[78,38],"class_list":["post-92841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-authority","tag-morality"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":83948,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/real-gold\/","url_meta":{"origin":92841,"position":0},"title":"Real Gold","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Joan Rieber via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 11, November 30, 1983 The gift-giving seasons emphasize a paradox. Stores and catalogs are full of things made of gold despite the extremely high price of this metal in recent years. Delicate design and fine workmanship raise the price of some\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":59800,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/on-the-open-sea\/","url_meta":{"origin":92841,"position":1},"title":"On the Open Sea","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant It is midnight as I begin writing - midnight on the open sea. Most of the ship's passengers are asleep as we move quietly through the water. I just stepped outside in the brisk night air and scanned the star-studded heavens. What a clear view of\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\/2023\/03\/Santorini-300x208.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49719,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/non-participation-in-sin-is-not-enough\/","url_meta":{"origin":92841,"position":2},"title":"Non-Participation in Sin Is Not Enough","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"by Edward O. Bragwell \"And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them\" (Ephesians 5:11). Christians and local churches, when questioned about their silence concerning various popular sins, often defend and console themselves by answering, \"But, I (or we) do not participate in such\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":31899,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/whos-god-looking-for\/","url_meta":{"origin":92841,"position":3},"title":"Who’s God Looking For?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 11, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Flora Hartsell Tant \"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him\" (II\u00a0Chronicles 16:9). I was just thinking: What or who is God looking for? I remember the words of our\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":18244,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/disappointment\/","url_meta":{"origin":92841,"position":4},"title":"Disappointment","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 10, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by J. D. Williams We are all familiar with the story of Job. The loss of all his material wealth not only affected him but his wife as well. Notice the question she asked him, \"dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and die\" (Job 2:9). What prompted\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\/2009\/01\/disappointed.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":60566,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/unitarian-universalists\/","url_meta":{"origin":92841,"position":5},"title":"Unitarian \/ Universalists","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 29, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"by Bob Lovelace First, understand that Universalism as a religion is a belief that all people will be reconciled to God. The New Testament does not teach, nor does the Old Testament, that eventually all people will be reconciled to God. 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