The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher
Religion Columnist

Have you ever bumped shoulders with someone and they treated you like you had the social plague? Like everyone knows something is wrong with you? They kinda, act like they've never had body odor or bad breath, but you...well, that's a different story.

But let me fill you in on something: the best at this kind of behavior are high-falutin' Christian folks who are more concerned about their own pretentiousness. Well, if you ever have to deal with their Dom Perignon appearance and their Ripple attitude, let me give you some good spiritual stuff.

First, take comfort that indeed, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Absolutely no one can claim “sinless superiority” to anyone else. In God's view, some white southern belle's haughty spirit is just as sinful as someone selling drugs. But don't you hate it when “they” cop an attitude that their sin is whiter and more pleasant than your sin. All sin stinks in God's nostrils.

Second, Jesus reserved his harshest words for the self-righteous Pharisees. He said they were always choking on a gnat and swallowing a camel. He said they were always conscientious about the outside of their cups, but the insides were dirty. He hated their ways. So, anyone—and I mean anyone—who comes across like they are better than you are, rest assured they aren't. It's all a show.

Third, anyone who casts judgement on you, look in his or her eyes. Jesus said in most cases folks who judge others have a lumber problem. He said they have a piece of lumber in their eye and he wonders how they can possibly see the speck of sawdust in your eye. Basically, Jesus nailed them to the wall and called them “hypocrites.” So, don't lose one second of sleep past 9 p.m. because of them!

Fourth, if someone gives you fits, check out the company they keep. If they only associate with the “blue bloods” or if they are impressed only by the landed gentry, don't buy them lunch and don't hold your breath waiting for an invitation. They will let you buy their lunch, but they won't invite you to their parties. Take comfort in the kind of company Jesus kept: prostitutes, sinners, crooked tax collectors.

I have a friend in the ministry who came from West Texas plains blood. He wanted to play a trick on Palm Beach society. He engineered his way into the Blue Book. Received invitation upon invitation to the upper crust happenings. Used every invitation to share the Gospel. Even, set up a weekly Bible Study right down the street from the Firestone compound.

What a joke on society snobs and what a score for the Gospel.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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