Remove the Plank

Monday 23rd June 2008

SCRIPTURE
Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.’
Mt.7:15

OBSERVATION
Jesus is nearing the end of His Sermon on the Mount. His message is hard-hitting and personal. There is no one who should not be squirming on hearing this.

APPLICATION
Of course, this teaching applies to me. Judging others would have to be one of the most common sins I commit. Interestingly, Jesus doesn't deny that my brother may well have a splinter in his eye. The point is, so have I. My blindness to my own splinter turns it into a plank. I am still to help my brother remove his splinter, but only after I perform surgery on myself first. Then, and only then, can I see clearly enough to truly help my brother.
Today every time the "Little Lawyer" in me rises up it will be a reminder for me to look at my own short comings first before saying or doing anything else.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, give me clear vision and a steady hand to perform my own eye surgery.
Little Flower, please pray for me.