Logs In Our Eyes

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.

Matthew 7:3-5

Some of life’s best lessons are learned at an early age. When I was five years old, I tattled to my Sunday school teacher that one of the boys in class had his eyes open during the prayer. “Kim, how would you know his eyes were open unless your eyes were open too?” the teacher kindly replied. Ugh, it embarrasses me all over again just telling you about it.

Unfortunately, this tendency to be critical of others isn’t reserved only for kindergarteners. It follows us into adulthood. How many times have I jumped to critically point out things in my own family members that I am guilty of myself? In our household we remind each other of this by saying, “When you are pointing your finger at someone else, there are four fingers pointing back at you!” or “What are the five most important words? I’m sorry. I was wrong!” Hard to swallow, but true.

I am thankful that Jesus addressed this malady of “impaired vision.” He shows us again and again how we need His help in our interactions with others. He wants us to stop and think before we rush to correct someone else. Let’s face it: each one of us can use a generous dose of His grace and log-removing remedy on a regular basis.

Next time we are ready to say something critical, let’s take a quick peek at our own tendencies first—it just may ax the comment.