Facing the Log

"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 7:3-5).

After John 3:16, this may be the second most known passage of Scripture. People who rarely darken the doors of a church will know this verse, and will even be quick to apply it when someone confronts them about sin in their lives.

And church-goers will use it to dodge their responsibility of caring enough for the needs of their brothers in Christ to confront them in their sin.  "What right do I have to confront them, when I have such a big log in my own eye? I better retreat and not do anything."

Which usually means, not do anything about the speck or the log.

Maybe some not so obvious lessons would help us to understand and apply this passage better.

1. Both parties have a problem.

2. Both parties know that the other person has a problem.

3. Both parties need help.

4. Both parties need to work on their own sins and help the other with his.

So why do we find it so hard to deal with the log in our own eyes?

"We can only do this when we rest in the gospel, trusting in the finished work of Christ. Apart from Him, we trust in our own record. We're convinced that it's up to us to measure up. We refuse to admit failures because they impugn the record and reputation we're so desperate to establish. And anyone who tries to challenge us on sin is a threat" (Sexual Sanity for Men, by David White, pg 159).

We desire to hide behind a false front.

We want everyone to think that we've got everything under control.

We aren't resting in the finished work of Christ.

We think our sins are too big for God to forgive.

We believe that God's Word and His Spirit aren't really strong enough to help us have victory.

And the log keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

"Embracing that simple truth (the atoning work of Christ on the cross) enables us to face the worst things about ourselves because on one hand we know that our sin was atoned for. And on the other hand, as we trust in the peace and reconciliation we have with God, we are free from the slavery of our own record and reputation. We have the love and approval of the only One who ultimately matters. We have a surety in the finished work of Christ that gives us the courage to face the log in our own eye and get out the ax" (Sexual Sanity for Men, by David White, pg 160).