Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?… 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. Luke 6:41-42
A wise person once said, if you want to see change, start with yourself!
When Matt signed up with an online dating app, he listed the qualities he was looking for in a wife. He typed away, listing things like hard worker, in shape, takes care of their health, supportive, willing to compromise–thinking of everything he could that would make for an inspiring partner. After completing his long list, he realized that this woman would probably never date him! He had a lot of work to do if he was ever going to be worthy of her!
It’s common to look critically at the people around us and wish they were more loving, understanding or motivated. But it takes far more work and self-awareness to focus all that critical thinking on assessing where we can grow as individuals.
Jesus said “Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?… 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” (Luke 6:41-42).
If you find yourself speaking harshly or critically of others, holding them to impossibly high standards, ask God to teach you, His gentleness. God leads through His Spirit with gentle nudges, patient with us in our weakness as He exemplifies the kindness and tenderness He’s leading us into (2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 103:14).
As we experience God’s patience with us in our weakness, we learn how to be patient with others. We can be like Jesus as we celebrate the effort and growth of those around us today, rather than never failing to point out their faults. We can’t see others righty until we focus first on ourselves.
