Is it wrong or selfish to be motivated by other people's failures or mistakes?

Question

I consider myself a growing Christian. I tend to be more motivated to succeed and reach my own goals when I see and hear about other people's failures and mistakes. At least what I consider to be a failure/mistake. People include family members, friends, ex-friends,co-workers, backstabbers,old class/schoolmates that once teased me, and people I don't even know personally.I do not wish bad things for them. I am not cold-hearted and I always am willing to talk, be there to help in anyway I can, and even hang-out with some of them.

Answer 1

I read through your post carefully...and my honest response is yes, it is wrong. You are not talking about learning from the mistakes of others, as I first interpretted your question to mean. Learning from the failures of others is a wonderful gift...the opportunity to witness what NOT to do in your life. But you are talking about feeling lifted by the misfortune of others. Your list of people include those that have hurt you, and you are feeling a sense of accomplishment in their downfall. This is not Christian...it will not help you in your 'growth'.

Focus on your own life, your own path. Help others when you can and focus on the good in life...your own and others.

Answer 2

It's natural.

You would be forgiven for feeling that way, but you don't want to show it by smiling or skipping away!

It makes you feel that you don't have to work as hard to get that job or what ever.

It means that you must be going in the right direction because you weren't the one.

Don't let it bother you so much!

You will fail at something and someone else will feel the same way.

The best you can do is to recognize the person for trying, if someone else fails or get up off the floor, if you're the one, put a look of determination back on your face and move on!

Answer 3

As long as you aren't wishing bad things on other people, I think God would be disappointed in you if you didn't learn from other's mistakes ~ something most people actually don't do.

You sound like a very observant person so that will help you as you strive to better yourself and become a stronger Christian.

And after all, life is one BIG lesson every day if we let it be. You are on the right track so keep up the good work :)

Answer 4

properly i'm no longer christain, yet i do not see some thing incorrect with gaining knowledge of from human beings's mistakes. human beings continuously talk about a function type, someone you elect to save on with. Why no longer talk about human beings you do not elect to save on with? yet i imagine there is no longer some thing incorrect with that. My mom and father did drugs and different crap and then divorced one yet another in an truly unfavourable screwed up way and my mom drove herself into the floor and wound up in penal complicated. i look at each little thing they did incorrect and did not do for themselves and that i attempt to be different and learn from their mistakes. I see no longer some thing incorrect with it.

Answer 5

I appreciate your sense of positivity - Yes pl continue to pass on good wishes even to those who are bad to you - in long term it will help you and reward you in a great way.

Getting motivated is not bad but don't come under the influence of good/bad of others. Take lessons and proceed but don't get attached to the people from whom you are motivated or inspired.

Answer 6

I see it as I don't want to make the same grevious mistakes as others (I call it learning from the mistakes of others)... and if that kind of knowledge motivates me, then so be it. I don't exactly gloat over the misfortunes of others, but in a very existential way... better them than me!!

Answer 7

No this makes you motivated. Im the same way sorta. I learn from others failures and things they dont fail from. Theres always something to learn from everyone, whether its their good or bad.

Answer 8

I would guess it to be O.K. as long as you are not doing it in a condescending way where you tell yourself you are superior to them. It is a good thing if you are equating them in the situation as a kind of role model, learning from their mistakes.

Answer 9

i don't think it's selfish, it's good that you can learn from others mistakes instead of having to make the mistake yourself like alot of others do.... they will see something happen right in front of them and then turn around and do the same thing and have it happen to them too.

Answer 10

Yes it is wrong but everyone seems to do it. It's just our human nature to want to always be the strongest and the most accomplished. If it's really bothering you that much just pray to God and tell him that it is. I'm sure he'll help.