It boggles the mind how we can have such strong convictions about other people's shortcomings. Apparently at some point back in the day, Bill Cosby criticized various comedians... scolding them about their use of foul language in their stand up comedy acts while at the same time, he himself was committing sexual molestation. Yet another case of trying to remove the speck out of a brother's eye with a big plank in your own.
Reading through the gospels, it seems that's the one thing that really irritated Jesus was hypocrisy. He called the scribes and Pharisees "white washed tombs full of dead men's bones". They looked good on the outside but dead on the inside.
The Associated Press reported that they obtained Mr. Cosby's deposition where he admitted to purchasing Quaaludes with the intent of giving them to young women he wanted to have sex with.
- People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. (Prov. 10:9)
The apostle James said that each one of us is tempted when we are drawn away by our own lustful desires and enticed. Then, when the desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has fully grown up, it brings forth death (James 1:14-15).
Like the mule following the dangling carrot in front of her, we are led about to our destruction; when what was a tiny thing to start with, becomes something we cannot contain but has imprisoned us under its power.
I am reminded of the prophet Nathan when he was sent by God to confront King David in regard to his adultery and murder. Nathan tells David a story...
“There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to the prophet Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!"As soon as David was confronted, he confessed. No excuses. He simply prayed for repentance.
Psalm 51 was David's prayer of repentance.
Michael Jackson sang a song... Man In The Mirror
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could've been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and make that change.
God stands ready to forgive. If He has to reach way down, He can lift us up out of our sinful ways and set our feet on a rock and establish our goings.
Heavenly Father,
Please help me not to judge this fallen soul... lead us down the path of righteousness. And though our sins be as scarlet, You shall wash us whiter than snow. We also pray for the victims, that You will heal their broken hearts. We pray for the loved ones of all involved. Lord, none of us are in a position to judge our fellow man. Help us to not fall into temptation but daily deliver us from the evil one and every temptation that would overtake us. Help us to examine ourselves and become salt and light for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In His precious name we pray, Amen.
Go in peace.