May 1, 2012
Examine Your Eyes -
Regularly
Transformational Thought
Over the last few days we have been discussing
the complicated, and seemingly contradictory instructions the Bible gives about
judging others. We saw how we seem to be called not to judge, yet we are also called
to judge. The major component that helps us determine whether or not to judge, is looking at the heart of both the
judger and the judged.
As we discussed yesterday, the Bible calls us to
correct our children … to pick elders and church leaders … to vote for Godly
leaders in government … to be a third party helping to settle a dispute between
two brothers. So again, the permission to judge rests in the motivating engines
of our hearts. We need to examine what drives our judgments of other people.
God does not call us to condemn, shame, mock or
belittle others. Neither are we called to exalt ourselves. On the contrary, our
motivation needs to be one of compassion, love, service, and encouragement to
others. We are to be a lighthouse and a mouthpiece, directing others to God and
His Word.
Another important issue in judging is our own
motivation. In today's scripture, Jesus describes a type of hypocrisy most of
us have experienced. We are quick to condemn others, but avoid examining our
own lives. Often our sins actually surpass theirs.
Self-assessment, evaluation, and reflection are
so difficult for us. Looking at our weaknesses and mistakes is hard work. We
look for any excuse to avoid this important and necessary task for growth.
Focusing on someone else’s failures and blowing them out of proportion makes
you look better and takes the spotlight off you.
Jesus says that before we can help others, we
need to look at our own lives. Are we involved in wrongdoing that clouds our
wisdom and hampers our ability to assess and help? Our sin, baggage, and issues
can distort our perceptions of their conduct. We might even wrongly judge them.
We could then give poor counsel as our issues bleed into our Biblical
objectivity.
Not having our own houses in order also undermines
our credibility as we speak into their lives. Why would someone listen to or
believe my assessment when my own life is filled with sin, dysfunction, and
blind spots? What expertise or wisdom can I really share with others if I can’t
even identify and address the struggles that hinder my walk with God?
The ability to look closely at our own stuff and
address it, is a pretty good indicator of our level of humility … or lack
thereof. Low humility indicates high pride, which doesn’t help us speak into
another’s life with Godliness. Finally, our dysfunction and sin hinder our
prayers for others.
Today, sit down and identify areas in your life
that are broken or off-track. You know what they are. As Jesus teaches, get the
plank out of your own eye. Only then will you see clearly enough to help your
friends. But more importantly, cleaning up your own walk dramatically increases
your credibility as you speak into their lives about their problems. Have you
performed an eye exam on yourself lately? Like me, you are probably overdue!
Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know I am sometimes quick to
judge … and to condemn. Please forgive me. I know I get hypocritical at times,
picking on others when I am struggling. Give me the courage to allow Your Holy
Spirit to search me, teach me, and empower me to heal and transform my
weaknesses. Thank You for allowing me to use what You taught me about myself,
to help others grow. Grow in me a heart of compassion and not hypocrisy. Help me
to extend the same grace to them that You have abundantly extended to me. I
pray this and all prayers in the name of the best mirror for my eye exam, Jesus
Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
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.
Matthew 7:3-5
