Romans 3:23 - Do not expect perfection from anyone but Jesus.

Romans 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Many times we read this verse, but forget that this does not apply to everyone we meet.  We have a tendency to place people who are more 'spiritual' than us upon a pedestal of perfection, where they can never do anything wrong, and whatever they say has to be God's will, whether we seek God about what they suggest or not.  I have seen disastrous results because of this however.  No matter how close someone is walking with God, they are not perfect.  Sooner or later, you will see them make a mistake, commit a sin, or do something that you do not think is right.   Then the 'bubble' of perfection gets popped, and you are left questioning your own faith in Christ.  



Acts 15:10:

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?   
Often times, those placed under this 'perfection' burden is not aware of this.The burden-er does not think they are placing a yoke upon then they are not supposed to bear.  They only find out about this when that 'bubble' gets popped, and the the person who had their 'bubble' busted rants and raves at you for bursting that bubble.  Anyone that expects another human to be perfect, places a yoke upon them that they can not bear.  Yes we are called to strive to be like Jesus (perfection in every way), however we are human. As humans we can not obtain true righteousness.  Isaiah makes this clear:

Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.    
 
 Strongs defines filthy as "5708 from an unused root meaning to set a period (compare '`adah' (5710), '`uwd' (5749)); the menstrual flux (as periodical); by implication (in plural) soiling:--filthy."  rag is defined as "899 from 'bagad' (898); a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage:--apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, X very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe"

Isaiah says that our righteousness is  like filthy rags.  The best we can do is dirty, filthy rags, which no one I know wants to publicly display their filthy rags as defined above.  I do not know about you, but I don't want anyone to think I am perfect, when my best is considered to be a filthy rag.  This is why it bothers me so much when people want to place another in that 'perfection bubble'.  Sooner or later the bubble will burst, and cause issues.  When we find ourselves in that 'bubble bursted' spot, remember to take that burden and place it upon Jesus.  Jesus promises us that he will take that burden from us in Matthew 11:28-30:

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Take your burden and your cares, and cast them upon Christ.  Do not place the burden on anyone to be perfect all the time.  They are going to fail you if you place then under that burden.  The only one that can take the burden of being perfect is Christ, because He is perfect, and He tells us that we can rest in Him.  Jesus wants us to share ALL our burdens with Him, not just the ones we are comfortable talking about.  God does truly care about us, and He wants to take away all out fears, concerns, worries, doubts, but we need to ask Him to do this for us.  No one else can remove those things from out spirit.   It is good to express what is going on inside us with other like minded believers as well, but PLEASE do not put them in a 'perfection bubble'.  That bubble will always pop, leaving you dissapointed and upset.

 In Christ,

Kevin

PS  If there is anything with what has been shared above that speaks to you, take it to God, and ask Him to reveal to you what He wants you to do next.