DAY 25: Take the Plank OUT!

“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? 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? 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. - Matthew 7:3-5 

Have you ever wondered how we can be so gracious to ourselves and so judgmental towards others?? I have often wondered what kind of deception that must be to see everyone else’s faults SO CLEARLY, yet be totally oblivious to our own faults. 

Today, we’re going to fix that. We’re going to get a hold of the plank in our own eye and yank it out! We’re going to ignore and otherwise pretend the splinter in our brother’s eye today and focus solely on what we are dealing with. 

Today, take 5 minutes and ask the Lord to show you 1-2 people in your life that you can trust. These are people that have shown a genuine interest in your well being and LOVE YOU. It could be your spouse, it could be your kids, it could be a friend or family member. 

Then, find a few minutes today and meet with, call, write or email that person (or persons) to ask them this question: “Do you see 1-2 things in my life that I really need to improve or cut out?” After you pose the question, STOP TALKING. Let them talk. It may be difficult for them to open up and be honest with you, but I promise, if you can get them talking, what they say will be SO helpful. Write this information down and commit it to paper or a document. 

Whenever you get that feedback, find a quiet place and get alone with the Lord. Take 10 minutes and ask Him to bring the “plank” to light. He may show you something different than what others see, either things done in secret or private sins may come to light. Ask for His help in removing it. If it’s an area of sin, confess it and turn from it. God gives grace to humble people, so humble yourself. 

Now, with your vision clear, you can help your brother! 

How’s your vision now?