Your failure is my success.

How do we live in a culture of finding fault with others while uplifting ourselves, from an Orthodox Christian perspective?

In Orthodox Christianity, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion. This means that we should not seek to tear others down to lift ourselves up. Instead, we are called to build each other up and support one another in our journey towards spiritual growth and salvation. No one wins on earth when we find fault with what other people do, or say!  This doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything, but we do need to look for the good in all.

The idea that “your failure is my success” goes against the teachings of Orthodox Christianity, which emphasize the importance of humility, forgiveness, and love for one another. In the Orthodox tradition, pride and arrogance are seen as sinful attitudes that separate us from God and from our fellow human beings. Instead, we are called to cultivate humility, recognizing our own weaknesses and shortcomings while also acknowledging the dignity and worth of others.

One of the key virtues in Orthodox Christianity is the virtue of humility. Humility means recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses and acknowledging that we are all equal in the eyes of God. When we approach others with humility, we can see them as fellow human beings who are deserving of our love and respect, rather than as competitors or adversaries.

Humility also means recognizing that we are not perfect and that we are all in need of God’s mercy and grace. When we are quick to point out the faults and failures of others, we are failing to practice humility and are instead succumbing to pride and self-righteousness. In the Orthodox tradition, we are called to be merciful and forgiving towards others, just as we ourselves have received mercy and forgiveness from God.

Another important aspect of Orthodox Christian teaching is the concept of synergy, which is the idea that we are called to work together with God in our spiritual growth and salvation. This means that we are not meant to go it alone or to compete with others in our spiritual journey. Instead, we are called to support and encourage one another, recognizing that we are all members of the body of Christ and that we are all interconnected and interdependent.

When we cultivate a culture of finding fault with others while uplifting ourselves, we are working against the principle of synergy and are undermining our own spiritual growth and that of others. Instead, we should strive to build each other up and to support one another in our shared journey towards God.

One practical way to counteract a culture of finding fault with others is to practice the virtue of gratitude. When we focus on what we are grateful for in others, we can see their value and worth, rather than focusing on their faults and failures. By cultivating an attitude of gratitude towards others, we can help to shift our mindset away from a competitive and judgmental attitude towards a more compassionate and loving approach.

Another important practice in Orthodox Christianity is the practice of confession and repentance. When we recognize our own faults and shortcomings and bring them before God in confession, we can experience God’s grace and forgiveness. This experience of God’s mercy and forgiveness should lead us to extend that same mercy and forgiveness to others, recognizing that we all fall short and are in need of God’s grace.

In the Orthodox tradition, it is also important to seek the guidance and support of a spiritual father, who can help us to grow in humility, virtue, and love for others. A spiritual father can provide us with wise counsel, accountability, and encouragement in our spiritual journey, helping us to avoid the pitfalls of pride and judgmentalism.

So, the next time you feel the need to correct or demean someone else stop and think again.  This way leads to nowhere. Ultimately, the key to dealing with a culture of finding fault with others while uplifting ourselves from an Orthodox Christian perspective is to focus on cultivating the virtues of humility, love, and forgiveness. By embracing these virtues and seeking to build each other up rather than tear each other down, we can create a culture of kindness, compassion, and mutual support within the Church and in the world at large. This is the path to true spiritual growth and transformation, as we strive to become more like Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. Remember someone else’s success is also one that we can share in.  That is if we open our heart and mind to do so.