LOG IN THE EYE
When talking with others try to be patient and loving, not judging and critical.
Jesus accepted us where we are, so we need to accept others where they are. Our job is not to fix people, but lead them to the only one who can fix them – Jesus.
Jesus told a funny story about a man who was trying to take a speck out of his neighbor’s eye while having a board stuck in his own eye.
Jesus said you can’t see clearly until you take the board (sin) out of your own eye.
READ SCRIPTURE
MATTHEW 7:1-5, NIV
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “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?
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?
5 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.
LIVE IT
With a Christian friend explain in your own words what Jesus is teaching in Matthew 7:1-5. (See link on this page)
Why is it so important to see our own sin before we seek to address the sin in another person?
How have you tried to “fix” another person in the past? Does it really work? Why or why not?
PRAYER
“Lord Jesus, help me to see my own sins before I rush to confront others with their sins. I am a broken person in need of your touch today. Thank you for graciously showing me the ways that I need to change. Rather than spending all my time trying to fix other people, help me to simply pray for them. I practice this right now….
God, I pray for my friend _______________. Would you carry out your loving work in their life? I thank you for being patient and kind with me and I pray you would show the same grace to them. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
