OCU C)OST C Devotion 02
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MATTHEW 7 – SPECK IN YOUR EYE
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:3-4
I am surprised as to how so many people are often concerned with what everyone else is doing. For example, a family member may fail to do his or her part only to be reminded by that one family member of their shortcomings. Or perhaps a friend forgets what may be obvious to everyone else for only an acquaintance to quickly judge them without no knowledge of the circumstance. No matter the scenario, people tend to be quick to judge and ridicule while overlooking the obvious; the speck in their own eye!
The reality is that every single one of us possesses faults that we could resolve if we only spent more time fixing them. This is a much more profitable way to spend our time versus focusing on our Neighbor’s shortcomings.
In this verse, Jesus is quick to remind His listeners that we ought to consider the speck in our own eye before pointing out the speck in our Neighbor’s eye. Why, because until we get to heaven, we’re going to be prone to falling short, in almost every aspect of our being.
CHALLENGE
How would you personally describe yourself? Are you quick to be patient or fast to judge? Are you likely to point out people’s faults or one to overlook them graciously? Remember my friend; it’s likely that whatever speck you may point out, you may likely have a beam in your own eye. Therefore, be quick to be patient and spend your time with a personal evaluation. In doing so, it’s likely that we may see others’ actions in a more positive light.
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I would not say that I am always patient nor always judgmental toward people. With God’s help, I try to be gracious to people, especially because God has been so gracious to me, but even just recently I judged someone who I did not know until God pointed out that I really had no idea about the situation and honestly there was not much evidence even later to say that my thought was correct. In moments like that, the only thing to do is repent, reset, and ask God for help in not being so quick to judge.
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Also, I just wanted to share Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV) because I think it is key to this week’s discussion as well: “‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” If we want to help someone improve and grow, we must correct them with God’s love in our hearts because we would want people to lovingly correct us as well.
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I like to think I am a good blend of both patience & judgment, although I have heard from my immediate family I am less patient with them at times and more critical compared to those I minister to or deal with. I own that and have been trying to actively work on it, however I do feel it is only human nature that you come to expect more of the people you are closest to & therefore are more expressive or demonstrative when it comes to their shortcomings simply because you know what you have poured into them. The time and effort Jesus poured into the disciples in the 3 short years they followed Him, when Peter tried to discourage Him from fulfilling His calling on earth, he literally called him Satan in sharp rebuke (KJV, 2019; Matt 16:23).
But keeping in focus this weeks devotional, I think it is important to not only ask your peers and those close to you for their honest perspective regarding how they see you at times, but also in your alone time with God, we should be like David in Psalms 139 “thou hast searched me and known me.” There is nothing about us that God doesn’t already know & if we spend time in prayer, He will reveal to us our shortcomings if we are willing to be honest with ourselves. I think it goes a long way in teaching us humility. He chastens whom he loves, and gives grace to the humble, but resist the proud. Rom. 12:3 also reminds us not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. This will help us to remain humble, but also compassionate knowing none of us were born perfect, and we are all striving to be made into that perfection in Christ Jesus.
Finally, when we aim to help others rather than ridicule or tear them down, we are building up the body of Christ as iron sharpens iron.
References
James, K. (2019). Holy Bible: King James Version, 1611 Edition.
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I think we can all, in some way, have our problems with this. We all sometimes are triggered by something that causes us to get angry. And, it may not be the same for another person. They may become angry at something that we can handle peacefully. This is why Matthew 7:3-4 is so important to keep in mind. We may thing we can handle it, but what about the other person.
As for me, I think I have a combination of both. There are things that I can deal with patiently and there are other things, though few, that I tend to have less patience in dealing with that thing. I do my best to own up to the times that I do overreact, and I also ask God for help. It usually takes me getting worked up or a gradual series of events that causes me to become angry.
With that being said, Paul tells us to ‘work out our salvation with fear and trembling’, meaning that we must continually work on ourselves and how we react to other people. When we look out for others and help them, especially in their faults, we are building the body of Christ.
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I would like to I tend to be patient and try to put myself in someone else’s shoes before judging. Sometimes, to the point where I tend to rationalize and excuse treatment that I should not accept. Unfortunately, I can get to a point after having “rationalized” for so long that I blow up in a way and, at times, can blow things out of proportion. I will then feel slighted that I gave the benefit of the doubt, only to feel as if I am punished for it later. This can be unfair to those around me and can set me up for difficulty in my relationships. I think it is important to recognize that no matter what face a person presents, there is always the chance of an underlying struggle. I think of days and times in my life where I have struggled, and how I worked so hard to hide that from those around me. No one knew what I was going through or feeling. I think it is important to understand that we don’t always have the whole story, and we can’t hold those in our lives to standards we wouldn’t want to hold ourselves to.
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Patience was something that I try to have on a daily basis. Especially as a father. It is something that is tested every minute of every day. However, I have learned over the last six years or so. It is not about what others do. It is about how you respond to others. I have really made the attempt to hold that thought close. I try my hardest to be understanding and always give others the benefit of the doubt. Even if it costs me my own sanity. Others have said that “I am to nice” or that “I really need to learn to put myself first”. But, I find it harder to do that as I have gotten older for sure.
As far as the pointing others faults out go. I hold my friends to a high standard. I always tell them. When you want my opinion. You are going to get it in full. So be prepared for it to not always be what you want or sometimes expect to hear. I am always honest and never sugar coat things for them. If they value me as a friend. I have always felt they would respect the honesty. Because it is something I appreciate as well.
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Personally, I strive to be patient and understanding. I believe that everyone has their own struggles and challenges, and it’s important to approach situations with empathy rather than judgment. While it’s natural to notice others’ faults, I try to focus on their strengths and positive qualities. Self-reflection is crucial, as it helps me recognize my own imperfections and encourages me to be more compassionate towards others. By being patient and taking the time for personal evaluation, I find that I can view others’ actions in a more positive light and foster healthier relationships.
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