TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3-4
Read: Matthew 7:3-4
Listen: Matthew 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus gives the image of a person with a plank in their eye pointing at the tiny speck in another person’s eye to explain what correction without self-awareness looks like. Before passing judgment on someone else—we should first condemn and work on our own flaws. Having a plank in your eye is a comical picture that shows how blind we can be to our own failings.
It’s so much easier to see flaws in someone else. We tend to forget our own brokenness when we chase after other’s poor behavior and start thinking we’re better. Jesus wants us to see and admit we also need to change so we can approach others with humility and kindness.
Jesus isn’t saying to ignore harmful issues in other people. Rather, he’s telling us the first thing to do is admit and deal with our own problems before addressing theirs. The Apostle Paul shows us how to do this when writing to new Christians in Ephesus. Although he’s their church father (and saved by grace), Paul admits he’s the worst of sinners as he warns them against wrong behaviors (1 Timothy 1:15-16).
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Listen to “Jesus Paid it All” and thank God that we all approach him on level ground as sinners in equal need of a Savior. Remember who you are before you approach someone else with their flaws.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Philippians 4.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
