Matthew 7:3-5
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Devotion
The point that Jesus is making here is that we must see clearly to help others. The purpose of self-judgment is to prepare us to serve others. Christians are obligated to help each other grow in grace. When we do not judge ourselves, we not only hurt ourselves, but we also hurt those to whom we could minister. The Pharisees judged and criticized others to make themselves look good. But as Christians, we should judge ourselves so that we can help others look good.
Jesus chose the symbol of the eye because it is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. The picture of a man with a two-by-four stuck in his eye, trying to remove a speck of dust from another man’s eye, is ridiculous! If we do not face our own sins and confess them, we blind ourselves to ourselves, and then we cannot see clearly enough to help others. The Pharisees saw the sins of other people, but they would not look at their own sins.
Jesus uses the illustration of the eye to teach us to have a spiritual outlook on life. We must not pass judgment on other people’s motives. We should examine their actions and attitudes, but we cannot judge their motives—for only God sees their hearts. When we stand before Christ at the judgment seat, He will examine the secrets of the heart and reward us accordingly.
The image of the eye also teaches us that we must exercise love and tenderness when we seek to help others. Like eye doctors, we should minister to people we want to help with tender, loving care. We can do more damage than a speck of dirt in the eye if we approach others with impatience and insensitivity. After we have judged ourselves honestly before God and have removed those things that blind us, then we can help others and properly judge their works.
Questions to Ponder:
Is there any sin in your life that is keeping you from being effectively used by God? Are you a “sawdust” inspector? Do you find it difficult to examine yourself spiritually? If so, why do you think that is? Are you able to approach others with sensitivity and patience? Are you able to speak the truth in love?
Prayer Points
- Hallow God’s name as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
- Praise Him for being forgiving and for being the only One who sees our hearts.
- Talk with the Lord about why or why not you take time to allow Him to search your heart. Ask Him for help in that area.
- Pray for yourself and our beloved church family. Ask Abba to grant us His heart of love, sensitivity, and patience. Ask Him for help to speak the truth in love, lean into Him, and yield to the Holy Spirit.
Suggested Prayer
King of Glory, Revealer of Truth, thank You that it is Your kindness that leads me to repentance. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit that grieves when I sin and convicts me. Help me and Your church body to respond to You, Lord, rather than trying to cover it up. Help me to come to You, repent, and receive Your forgiveness. Help me and Your church keep short accounts, Lord, allowing times throughout the day to stop, talk, and listen to You. Invite Your Spirit to search my heart and bring to my attention any offensive way in me. Thank You that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Amen.