[Jesus continued:] "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? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."
Jesus reminds us that we often pass judgment on others to keep from examining ourselves. This is wrong. In fact, it is obnoxiously and hypocritically wrong in God's eyes. Before we start removing someone else's sawdust, we had better get our own blinding 2x4 board out of our way. It's ridiculous for us to spend so much time finding all the little things that are wrong with others while we ignore our own huge problems. Let's address our own problems, weaknesses, sins, and inconsistencies, and then we can lovingly and humbly try to help others with their problems (
Galatians 6:1).
Almighty and compassionate Father, you have been so patient and kind with me. You provided Jesus as the sacrifice that purifies me from my sin. You sent your Spirit to help complete your work of maturing me. Please bless me as I try to be honest about my own failures, sins, and shortcomings. I don't want to let Satan use discouragement from my failures to embarrass or alienate me from you or your people. But Father, neither do I want to pretend my failures are not there and leave them un-addressed by your grace and at odds with your righteousness. Please work in me your holy will and produce in me your holy character. Help me not to look for the faults of others to keep from dealing with my own. In the holy name of your Messiah and my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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