January 10
Matthew 7:3-5““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? 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.”
Often times we overlook our own flaws and focus on the flaws of others. It is not as though we do not know we have flaws however it’s easier to point out others shortcomings than it is to face our own shortcomings. When we ignore the blood oozing from our arm only to talk about the scab someone has on theirs it makes us a complete hypocrite. As Christians we must look at ourselves first. We have the duty of checking our hearts and dissecting what is truly within our hearts. Although we are there to help one another and to direct each other whenever we’re going down a wrong path, we can not save someone who is floating on water when we rather are the one sinking.
Do not be a hypocrite. It is very easy to put yourself aside and focus on the wrong of everyone else. We must be encouraged to check our hearts. Look first at yourself. As believers we must always take time to check our hearts and have a period of self reflection. Our hearts aren’t always as pure as we believe it is. Neither are our lives as great and straight as we may believe. Be honest with yourself and with the things that you have going on with your life. Do not ignore the things that will eventually kill you only to focus on something that is barely making a dent in someone’s life. Remember that a plank is far bigger and far more dangerous than a speck, so check yourself in all your ways.
