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Matthew 7:3-5
Jesus teaches His disciples about looking at “self” instead of others in His teaching on not being judgmental. He proclaims in Matthew 7:3-5 (NKJV), “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Many have taught that Jesus is using humor [plank from your own eye, (Matthew 7:5)] in this passage, however, I believe the exclamation point after the word “Hypocrite” shows the seriousness of His words as many are blind to their own needs for forgiveness.
This is a command and example to put our focus on ourselves, not others, in the judgments that we make, that it would lead us to repentance and growth in our relationships with God through our salvation in Christ Jesus.
As Jesus continues His teaching on being judgmental of others, He gives an example of how we notice the “speck” (Matthew 7:3) in someone’s eye but cannot see the “plank” (Matthew 7:3) in our own eye. The point that Jesus is making here is that we have a tendency to notice all the problems of others while we cannot see our own issues. We strive to cover up our own issues by bringing to light the issues of others as if by this attitude toward others, the focus will be on them instead of ourselves and the issues that we do not want to face or have anyone notice. In our salvation, obedience, and humility to God, we should strive to open our own hearts to Jesus in seeking forgiveness for our own faults, that in so doing we will be equipped to grow in our relationship with Him and share the gospel “light” (Matthew 6:22-23) that He desires of us.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that we are blind to our own faults as we cast our judgments on others. Please help us to humble ourselves before You in repentance that we would seek Your forgiveness through the sacrifice of Your One and Only Son Jesus. Please help us to be encouraging to one another in our Christianity and share Your love with others through our lives that we would bring glory to You – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.