What Jesus Did : Luke 6:41-42 - Blind to Our Faults
by Phil Ware
Blind to Our Faults - Luke 6:41-42
"Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your brother's eye, but you don't see the big piece of wood that is in your own eye? You say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye.' Why do you say this? You can't see that big piece of wood in your own eye! You are a hypocrite. First, take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your brother's eye." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
The problem with sin and forgiveness, the problem with inconsistency, the problem with questionable motives, and the problem with unjust criticism is not with someone else. We must look inwardly at ourselves. We must look critically at ourselves. We must look correctively at ourselves. God holds us responsible for ourselves. Jesus wants us to see that our primary job is to deal with our own problems, sins, weaknesses, mistakes, inconsistencies, wrong motives, etc. Only after I've begun to address these problems in my own life can I begin to help others address the sin in their lives—and even then, I must approach them with humility, love, and grace, knowing that I'm a sinner saved by grace.
Today's Prayer
O God my heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins. I know that I fall short of what I want to be. Please help me never to use someone else's weaknesses or stumbling to be an excuse for my shortcomings. In addition, Father, please open my eyes so that I never avoid my own shortcomings by pointing to the deficiencies of another. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
"Don't judge other people, and you will not be judged. Don't condemn (find guilty) other people, and you will not be condemned. Forgive other people, and you will be forgiven. Give to other people, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to other people is the way God will give to you." Jesus told them this story: "Can a blind man lead another blind man? No! Both of them will fall into a hole. A student is not better than his teacher. But when the student has fully learned, then he will be like his teacher. "Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your brother's eye, but you don't see the big piece of wood that is in your own eye? You say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye.' Why do you say this? You can't see that big piece of wood in your own eye! You are a hypocrite. First, take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your brother's eye.-- Luke 6:37-42 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0415-wjd.html
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