JESUS SPEAKING
“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Mathew 7: 3-5.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
There is no better way to feed pride than to look at the faults and shortcomings of those around us. Most people, whether consciously or unconsciously, critique and compare themselves to others daily. Some however, go to extremes; correcting their fellows to dodge facing their own demons. Jesus warned his followers to avoid this form of hypocrisy. A disciple may humbly address another person’s sin, only when they themselves have had victory over that same sin. Any alternate form of correction is dangerous, because God inspects and corrects us using the same standard we have used to correct others.
In 1986, a very well known radio and television minister became aware that a fellow Pastor was guilty of carrying on numerous affairs. He went public with the information and his friend was removed from his position within the church and humiliated. This pastor, who had been more than willing to expose the faults of his colleague, became embroiled in a far more insidious scandal just two years later when he was caught with a prostitute. Filled with tears, he went on television and confessed his sins to the world, to his family, and to his congregation. He pleaded and begged for forgiveness. This minister was guilty of trying to correct the sins of another, before cleaning up his own deviant lifestyle. In turn, God judged him according to the standard by which he judged his colleague.
As believer’s today, self-examination is crucial. We must face and be victorious over the demons’ in our own lives, before we can help others to overcome similar difficulties. Extreme caution is required when attempting to lovingly correct our fellows; for the standard by which we correct them, is measured back to us by God.
“Lord Heavenly Father, protect us from the sin of hypocrisy. May embrace humility and refrain from pride-fully comparing ourselves to others. Empower us as we fight against the enemy. Give us victory over our sins, that we might help our fellows also conquer their sins. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 