And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? –Matthew 7:3-4 NLT
Isn’t it amazing how quick we are to pass judgment on others, pointing out their flaws or trying to fix their trouble spots, while ignoring our own shortcomings and blind spots? As in the classic game of Operation, we go around examining, poking, and probing into the lives of others for various reasons. Some are legitimate and genuinely heartfelt, yet others are wrong and ungodly.Jesus warns us in today’s Scripture that we are not to judge others. We are first to make sure that our lives are in right standing with God before trying to correct someone else’s weak spots. Our desire to correct others may stem from wrong motives. Perhaps we inwardly want to make ourselves look better. Maybe we are hoping to see co-workers fail so that we can get ahead. Or, are we distracted with the lives of others in order to avoid dealing with issues that God wants us to address in our own lives?God will not judge us according to how well we tend to everyone else’s lives while ignoring our own. Yes, He wants us to reach out and help others. But our foremost responsibility is to tend to our own thoughts, deeds, and motives first. During these operations, as we remove the logs in our own eyes, we must remember that God is the Great Physician who will surely heal and restore us.
Lord, You are the Great Physician.
Search my thoughts and make me aware of anything that displeases You. Holy Spirit, create in me a healthy heart attitude so that I can be a blessing to others.