By: Sarah Geringer
“And 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 NLT
I spoke something true but unloving to someone I love. My words caused hurt feelings and a few tears. I had hard evidence that a log threatened to become a stumbling block in our relationship.
My loved one had a speck that needed to be removed. But I tried to remove it in the wrong way. I offered correction in front of others rather than one-on-one (Matt. 18:15). I spoke the truth, but I left love out (Eph. 4:15). I failed to uphold the Golden Rule, speaking words I would not have wanted to hear myself (Matt. 7:12)
I had to get quiet with God before I saw the log in my own eye. Appropriately, in the shower, God revealed this truth to me. I needed to deal with my own log first before pointing out the speck in my loved one's eye. His loving confrontation moved me on the path toward reconciliation.
Once I apologized, taking full responsibility for my sin, our relationship was restored. I didn't say, "You still have a speck." I also didn't make excuses for my log. I simply admitted my wrong and asked, "Will you forgive me?" Then all was made right, and I'm so thankful for grace from God and my loved one.
When you have a log in your eye, it needs to be removed. God is willing and ready to help you remove it. Here are the steps you can take in removing the log in your eye:
- Get quiet with God, and ask him to reveal your sin (see my video meditation on Ps. 26:2).
- Listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then act on them as soon as possible.
- Humble yourself by admitting your wrongs and taking full responsibility - in person is best. Phone or video call is second best. Email/text/letter is not nearly as helpful, because tone is often misconstrued.
- Ask for forgiveness.
- Repent of your wrongdoing.
- Pray that the other person will completely heal.
- Ask God to help you not repeat that mistake.
- Allow God to do the necessary work in removing your log first.
When you follow these steps, you can have greater peace in your relationships. The sooner you remove the log from your eye, the better. God will bless your efforts to become more like Jesus, following the directives in the verses above.
Father God,
I praise you for sanctifying me.
I confess that I often criticize the specks in others' eyes, rather than dealing with the logs in my own.
Please humble me and help me be more like you, Jesus.
Give me the courage to apologize and the guidance to avoid repeating my mistakes.
May the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable in your sight, O God.
May I continue to grow in treating others the way I would like to be treated.
Help me remove the log from my life, so I can be closer to you and others.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
In which areas do you need God's help in removing the log in your eye? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, and I'm happy to pray for you too.
Check out my podcast, Finding Peace in God's Word, for more encouragement in your spiritual life!
Finding Peace in God's Word
Sarah, this is such an important message! I know I've fallen into this trap. I tend to do this with those closest to me - mainly, my dear husband. I'm feeling led to humbly pray through these words and turn my heart to Jesus in humility!
ReplyDeleteI have an upcoming post about the same thing, how often do we do that, and without realizing it. Looking foe logs from now on.
ReplyDelete