By: Larry Young
Throughout this national season of politics, elections, and interviews, a seldom used word seems to pop up more and more: Projection. When I see this word, I usually think of a movie being projected on a screen, but in the behavioral zone, projection takes on a much more sinister meaning. Symbolically, when a person is pointing their finger at someone else, there are three of their own fingers pointing back at themselves. Scripturally, this term also applies to Jesus’ own words regards “fruit inspectors” (Matthew 7: 15-20).
In Romans 2: 1-4, Paul precisely describes the tenants of projection: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.” Projection is all about
pointing the finger at someone else and accusing them of one or more wrongs, while in reality they themselves are projecting their own wrongs onto someone else. When Jesus spoke about fruit inspectors, it was all about third party observers who easily see that an accuser’s own past matches up very nicely with the very things that they themselves are accusing someone else of.
How is it that someone can accuse another of all kinds of crimes when in reality they are clearly describing their own crimes? Incredibly, this goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed Eve. The reality was that Eve disobeyed God and projected the blame on the serpent, and Adam projected his own weakness upon Eve, blaming her for giving him the forbidden fruit. So then, it should come as no surprise that the very people who are vying for positions of trust and authority project their own shortfalls upon each other.
Deception, lies, coercion, and bribery are NOT God’s tools. His tools include prayer, love, truth, righteousness, faith, hope, and encouragement. My fervent hope is that our country will continue to protect its hard-fought freedoms of speech and expression and that “In God We Trust” will continue to go far beyond just what’s printed on all our money! God Bless America and God bless our freedom to worship our Lord, Creator, and Savior Jesus the Christ, openly
and publicly without fear or reprisal.