September 1, 2022

What About the Speck?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

One of the great things about scripture is that you can read it multiple times and get something new from the same passage. Today as I read this passage, something new grabbed me. I have used this passage to teach against judging others. That is a powerful part of the passage.

Jesus is clear in telling us we need to be careful not to be a hypocrite judging someone else’s sin while we have a bigger sin in our own lives. But then came this new thought—once I allow the Holy Spirit to deal with my sin, then I am in a good position to help my friend deal with their sin.

Jesus is not against us helping a friend with their sin. He just wants us to remember we have had to deal with our own sin. We have to be constantly allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us and help us keep a clean heart so we can be available to help our friends who are struggling with their sins.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, please examine my heart and show me any sin I have tried to avoid or excuse. Forgive me. Cleanse me so that I can help others in their struggles.

Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying to you based on today’s reading.