Matthew 7:1-6 (KJV)
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Here is a contemplation of this from someone anonymous.
I’ve discovered something wonderfully freeing.
I am far too busy removing the LOG from my own eye to become an expert in your SPECKS!
Jesus said in Matthew 7:5
“First remove the log from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
My log isn’t a toothpick, it’s more like an entire timber yard some days! God is still sanding off my pride, teaching me humility, patience, gentleness, wisdom, understanding, discernment and love. That has become a full-time ministry.
So I’ve officially resigned from:
- Chief Inspector of Other People’s Specks.
- The Department of Criticising Others.
- The Ministry of Finding Fault.
- The Bureau of Unsolicited Opinions.
- Fault Finding International.
- The International Speck Inspection Committee.
I am now employed full-time by God’s Grace in the Log Removal Program and business is booming!
Applications are still open. There’s plenty of work for everyone.
Perhaps we would all have more peace if we spent less time magnifying another person’s failures and more time surrendering our own hearts to Jesus.
Maybe if we spent less time looking through the microscope at everyone else’s faults and more time looking into the mirror of God’s Word, revival might begin in our own hearts.
The problems we are facing today are not interruptions to our faith, they are opportunities.
- Problems are opportunities for God’s grace.
- Trials are opportunities for God’s strength.
- Decisions are opportunities for God’s wisdom.
- Confusion is an opportunity for God’s understanding.
- Difficult people are opportunities to practise Christ-like love.
- Waiting seasons are opportunities to trust Him more deeply.
- Obstacles are opportunities to witness God’s faithfulness.
- Our weaknesses are opportunities for God’s power to be perfected in us.
- Brokenness is an opportunity for God’s grace to shine.
- Complaining changes very little.
- Praying changes everything.
- Criticism is cheap.
- Compassion is priceless.
Anyone can point out what’s wrong. It takes the character of Christ to gently help make things right.
- Instead of complaining, let us become useful.
- Instead of criticising, let us become compassionate.
- Instead of condemning, let us become gentle.
- Instead of finding fault, let us become servants.
The world doesn’t need more judges sitting in the gallery shouting advice. It desperately needs more disciples kneeling in prayer, carrying one another’s burdens, and serving one another in love.
Scripture reminds us:
Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
James 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:2-3 (KJV) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Galatians 6:2 (KJV) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Romans 12:21 (KJV) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Colossians 3:14 (ASV) and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ASV) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
So if you don’t see me commenting on everyone’s specks, please don’t be offended, I’m still busy with my LOG.
And between you and me, it’s taking much longer than I expected!
May God make us useful rather than critical, gentle rather than harsh, humble rather than proud, and quick to help rather than quick to complain.
- Less speck hunting.
- Less judging.
- Less complaining.
- More praying.
- More serving.
- More loving.
- More Christ.
After all, it is much easier to throw stones than it is to carry one another’s burdens. Jesus has called us to the latter.
And that’s enough work for all of us.
Heavenly Daddy, we thank You for Your endless grace, mercy, and patience toward us. Thank You that You do not give up on us, but lovingly continue the work You have begun in our hearts. Lord, teach us to be more concerned with the condition of our own hearts than with the faults we see in others. Give us the humility to remove the logs from our own eyes before we ever concern ourselves with the specks in someone else’s. Help us to be quick to pray, slow to judge, eager to serve, and gentle when we speak. Forgive us for the times we have complained when we should have been praying, criticised when we should have been compassionate, and condemned when we should have been carrying one another’s burdens. Transform our hearts, Lord. When we face problems, may we see opportunities for Your grace. When we face trials, may we discover Your strength. When we lack wisdom, may we seek it from You. When we are confused, grant us understanding and discernment. When we encounter difficult people, teach us to love them as Christ loves us. When we walk through waiting seasons, teach us patience, trust, and joyful perseverance. Lord, make us useful for Your Kingdom. May we become builders rather than critics, encouragers rather than complainers, peacemakers rather than fault finders, and servants rather than spectators. Teach us to speak life where there is discouragement, hope where there is despair, and truth that is always clothed in love and grace. Protect us from pride and self-righteousness. Remind us daily that we are all works in progress, entirely dependent upon Your mercy. May we never forget how patient You have been with us, and may that patience overflow into the lives of others. Help us to exchange criticism for compassion, judgement for gentleness, anxiety for trust, and selfish ambition for humble service. Fill our hearts so completely with Your love that there is little room left for bitterness, comparison, or condemnation. Lord Jesus, make us more like You. May our homes reflect Your peace, our words reflect Your kindness, our actions reflect Your compassion, and our lives bring glory to Your Name. Give us eyes that see people as You see them—not as projects to criticise, but as souls to love and burdens to help carry. Teach us to spend less time hunting for specks and more time following Christ. May we never grow weary in doing good, but faithfully serve wherever You have placed us. And when life becomes difficult, remind us that our problems are not obstacles to Your purposes, but opportunities to witness Your faithfulness. Your grace is sufficient, Your strength is made perfect in weakness, and Your mercies are new every morning. May we complain less and pray more. Judge less and love more. Speak less of people’s failures and more of Your faithfulness. Serve more, forgive more, encourage more, and trust You more. Above all else, may there always be less of us and more of Christ, in Jesus’ precious and mighty Name.
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