Most of us know the verse about having a log in our eye. The verse calls those of us who would convict and judge someone else of their sin when our own sin is even more evident and unchecked. The scripture says that we are a hypocrite when we do this. And, before speaking to someone else about their sin, we need to remove that log from our own eye.
“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? 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 7:4-5.
I will admit that I am FAAAAR from perfection and being sinless. If you were to look at my life, you might find multiple specks in my eye(s). I’ve even been known to have a log (or two) of my own. Honestly, this could probably be said of all of us.
The issue in this verse isn’t that our brother has a speck in His eye. It isn’t that we have sin in our lives. It isn’t even that we are pointing out our brother’s sin. After all, we are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable. “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2.
The issue in this verse is that we have not checked our own heart and mind. “Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” Haggai 1:5.
Once we have checked ourselves for sin and repented, we can then go to our brother/sister about theirs.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19.
Once we repent of our own sin, we are in a much better place to correct our brother or sister in Christ. Not only do we go to them with a clean conscience, but we can be honest. Who wouldn’t be more receptive to correction from someone who said, “Look, I just removed that log from my own eye before I came to you”, and confessed their own shortcomings first? I believe that we all would.
God doesn’t want us to ignore each others sin. He doesn’t want us to just let a brother or sister fall deeper and deeper into sin and further from Him. He expects us to come alongside them and help them to get back on track.
But not if our own heart isn’t right. It’s like the phrase the stewardess uses when she is demonstrating the air mask used on an airplane. She says, “If there is a loss of cabin pressure, an air mask will fall from the compartment above.” She then reminds us that before we help anyone else, we need to put our own air mask on first.
Before we help a brother or sister get back on track, we need to stop and look around. Are we on the gravel? Have we ourselves wandered off into the burdocks, brambles, and weeds? If so, GET OUTTA THERE! Repent and climb back up on that path! Brush off those weeds. Now, you are better able to reach down and pull your brother or sister back up there with you.
God is faithful to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
And His mercies are new every morning! “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.
We cannot be effective for God, walking around with a giant log sticking out of our eye. We cannot help a brother or sister out of their sin. Nor can we help someone who doesn’t know Jesus find Him. We cannot even live out our purpose. Because unconfessed sin is hindering that purpose. Let’s remove that log and start reaching out to pull others (both brothers and sisters, and those who don’t know Jesus) up on to the path of life and righteousness. “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11.
Father God, forgive us for our sins. Reveal to us any that might be hidden and unconfessed. Help us to remove that log from our own eyes, Father. And then to reach down and pull our brothers/sisters back up onto the path of life and righteousness. Thank you for your mercy, Father. Thank you for your forgiveness. And thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice. Holy Spirit, help us to stay the course and to stay out of the brambles and weeds. Give us the courage to help our brothers and sisters back onto the path.
Are you wandering around in the weeds and brambles of sin? Is the guilt and shame of that sin causing you pain and fear? God wants to forgive and restore you. All that He asks is that you desire a relationship with Him with all your heart. And that you pray a simple, heartfelt, prayer of repentance. There is a prayer like that outlined on our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please go and check out that page. And, while you are there, please pray the prayer that is outlined.
Once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you. I’d love to welcome you into the family of God. And (having just removed that log from my own eye 🙂 ) I’d love to help you out of the weeds and brambles of sin. And (with God’s help and strength) I’d love to pull you right up on to the path of life and righteousness. Reach out to me.
Luv Ya!
