Monday 20 Jun 2022

June 20: Matthew 7:1-5

Key Verse: Matthew 7:4
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?

Devotion:
It is very easy to see the errors others make and very easy to think you can cover up the errors you make; but we need to remember there is someone watching us all the time, not waiting for us to make mistakes, but waiting for us to come to Him for our help and guidance. Part of that help and guidance is so we do not jump in to judge others.

I love the symbolism of these words used here. I don’t know if you have ever tried to read something when you get sand or other foreign objects blown into your eyes – it’s a bit difficult! This is the symbolism used here, when we have something wrong in our lives it is hard to be able to see the reality of someone else’s situation – maybe they are doing what they are because they think they have no other choice!

Part of our life is making choices when the going gets difficult. Christ has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance and help during those times when we do find it difficult. The Holy Spirit does not have anything to hold them back like we do, so they see the big picture in its correct light, and not jaded as we see because of the sin in our lives.

You may not think of the things wrong in your life when you are too busy focusing on what you see wrong in other’s lives, but when you stop to think about it, you will see the faults in your life. Christ is saying we need to sort those faults out before we can even think about picking the faults in other’s lives. Those little things wrong in our lives may be like a speck of sand, but that is enough to make you not see clearly!

Points to Ponder:
How often do you pick holes in other people's business?

Will you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you first of all?