TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5
Read: Matthew 7:5
Listen: Matthew 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus gives specifics on correction without self-awareness because he wants people to transform deep in the control center of their hearts. He wants them to think and behave with a heart like God’s. Hypocrites were actors who wore masks to cover their faces while playing a role. Jesus says not to pass judgment on others like a hypocrite who is playing a role to cover up their own bad behavior. But instead, remove those bad behaviors (which he calls planks) before telling others to change.
We can have many types of planks. It might be an anger problem, a porn habit, an obsession with arguing with people on Facebook or something else.
Getting rid of planks is not easy unless we submit them to God. There are two ways we can do this. (1) Confession is regularly asking God to show you where you’re missing the mark, accepting his forgiveness and asking for his help to change. (2) Accountability is asking someone you trust to help you see where you’re behaving wrongly and encourage you to change and grow. Watch this video clip of Pastor Aaron explaining this process.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Pray about asking someone you love and trust to be an accountability partner. Small Groups are also a great place where we can learn to bring our issues to God and lovingly support others. You can join a small group this fall. No matter where you are in your faith journey, we have a small group for you. Read more at adabible.org/smallgroups.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Colossians 1.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
