Scripture to Read: Matthew 7:3
We continue to walk through Matthew 7 and what Jesus said about judging others. Jesus said, in Matthew 7:3, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Here, we see Jesus’ challenge to make sure we examine ourselves before we start to judge someone else. God the Holy Spirit lives in us and loves us enough to convict us of any sin we have in our lives. When we “do not notice the log that is in our own eye,” we have allowed ourselves to become spiritually deaf and blind. God warns us in Ephesians 4:30, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” So, we can grieve God’s Spirit in us when we shut ourselves off from listening to Him, fellowshipping with Him, and asking Him to reveal any sin in our lives so that we’re not hindered from being used by Him. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, He’s revealing the “log in our own eye” so that we practice 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is agreeing with God that we have sinned. Because Christ paid the debt of our sins in full, God the Father forgives us so that we stay in right fellowship with Him. We cannot see clearly to be used by God when we have unconfessed sin. Therefore, the “log” must go.
Challenge & Application
· What does “the log in our own eye” hinder us from doing?
· How do we get the log out so that we’re a usable tool for Christ our King?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!