Looking In
How good are we at finding fault with others?
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see 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 neighbor’s eye. “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.” - Luke 6:39-49
I guess it is true that we tend not to see our own flaws, but can be quick to notice them in others.
How often do we look at ourselves in the mirror and really see ourselves?
But is that truly a matter of good and evil? If we fail to see our flaws, are we being evil or just blind?
Jesus starts out talking about the blind man who leads another who is also blind, and he says it is not possible. Today, though, it could be possible. You may be blind but have learned how to see what is all around you.
The point, I guess, is that when we focus on others and how they can or should be healed, and we fail to see the healing we need, we are being hypocrites. Look first at yourself, Jesus is saying, and know if you are following the right path or not, before even thinking of judging another.
It is good advice, but will we take it?
Isn't it easier to find fault, not within, but without?
Maybe we can take it one day at a time. Today, I will not judge. I will not look for things in others that aggravate me, but will stay focused on myself.
With all the outside influences pounding at me, will I be able to do that?
We will try and see.
More to come...