Christians are obligated to help each other grow in grace. When we do not judge ourselves, we not only hurt ourselves, but we also hurt those to whom we could minister. The Pharisees judged and criticized others to make themselves look good.

But Christians should judge themselves so that they can help others look good. There is a difference!

Let’s look at our Lord’s illustration of this point (Matthew 7:3-5). Jesus chose the symbol of the eye because this is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body.

The picture of a man with a two-by-four stuck in his eye, trying to remove a speck of dust from another man’s eye, is ridiculous indeed! If we do not honestly face up to our own sins and confess them, we blind ourselves to ourselves; then we cannot see clearly enough to help others. The Pharisees saw the sins of other people, but they would not look at their own sins.

The Bible commands: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Also consider: Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14; Romans 14:10-13.

Action assignment: Are you blinded by a “plank” in your eye? It could be that the sin you see in a brother is actually in your own life, not his. Confess it to God today.

A Time to Be Renewed

SEEING SIN IN YOURSELF

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in