Devotion #6: Have You Looked in the Mirror?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

It is really easy to see traits or behaviors in others and ask ourselves, what in the world are they doing? Often, I believe the traits we dislike in others are the very traits we dislike in ourselves. I can look and see someone going through something I am dealing with myself and be overly critical because I know the hurt and pain it causes personally. Yet, I can also forget that they must be going through the very same hurt and pain. It is easy to look at the “speck” in their eye and make judgments. When in reality, I should take a look at myself first and then lovingly help and forgive those whom I am judging.

Jesus is communicating in Matthew chapter 7 that we need to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. Jesus’ statement “judge not” is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears down others in order to make ourselves feel good. It is not against all critical thinking, but it is really a call to be discerning rather than negative.

So, next time you look at someone with critical eyes, perhaps stop and take a look at your own life. Ask yourself the hard questions. Is this something I need to examine in my own life? Am I just trying to tear down this individual to make myself feel better because I do not want to deal with what is going on in my life? These are good questions we should ponder every now and then. At the end of the day, we need to make sure we are loving others and making an effort to build them up, just like Jesus does when He looks at you and me.