Lose the Log

“‘Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.’” Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)

We tend to judge others by a different standard than we judge ourselves. When we look at ourselves, we tend to use a filtered lens that makes us look pretty good. When we look at others, we tend to utilize the most powerful microscope to examine their lives. We can be rather selective by choosing someone who will make us look good.

The truth is, everyone looks good from a distance. Proximity affects accuracy. Jesus is giving us a new lens to view ourselves and others. Instead of bypassing the reality of a massive log in our own eye in order to identify the speck of sawdust in our brother’s eye, Jesus wants us to examine our own life first.

• “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3 (ESV)
• “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (ESV)

Introspection paves the way for realization of God’s impartation of grace in which we live and breathe. God already knows about the log. Be quick to remove it and be slow to critique the speck in your brother’s eye.

Following Jesus Every Day,

Stephen Trammell