SeniorSeeker
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[size=large]Clean Your Own House First[/size]
It's much easier to focus on the lives of other people than to honestly appraise who we are and what we do. Jesus encourages us to get our own house in order before we start making judgments about other people.
[size=large]The Log In My Eye[/size]
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, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the go out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." Matthew 7:3-5
I don't know about you, but I find my own faults much easier to understand than the faults of others. There are certain characteristics, qualities, and actions that in myself I hope are endearing, but when I encounter those same traits in others, I find myself annoyed. Why is it that most of us can easily see the wrong that others do but are less perceptive when it comes to realistically looking at our own lives? When I make a mistake, I may have an explanation of why it happened. I was tired, I rationalize. Or, I didn't get enough help from other people. I made a mistake because I needed
support. I wasn't given all the information. "Instead of talking about other people's affairs, let me drive off my own wasps" (Japanese Proverb).
Because I see and understand things from my own perspective, my mistake may seem less important than someone else's error. Unable or unwilling to delve into another's experience, I judge them on what I see on the surface. Why did she mess up? There is no excuse! I can't believe he did that! I would never stoop so low. Ah, but Jesus knows our game, even though these thoughts may never be spoken out loud. As usual, Jesus understands our humanness but seeks to lift us to a higher level. When we hear Jesus' words, we have to smile. We recognize that as easy as it is to see what's wrong with another person, it is harder to to recognize and admit our own mistakes.
Take From: The Wisdom of Jesus 'When Jesus Asks You Not To Judge'
It's much easier to focus on the lives of other people than to honestly appraise who we are and what we do. Jesus encourages us to get our own house in order before we start making judgments about other people.
[size=large]The Log In My Eye[/size]
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, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the go out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." Matthew 7:3-5
I don't know about you, but I find my own faults much easier to understand than the faults of others. There are certain characteristics, qualities, and actions that in myself I hope are endearing, but when I encounter those same traits in others, I find myself annoyed. Why is it that most of us can easily see the wrong that others do but are less perceptive when it comes to realistically looking at our own lives? When I make a mistake, I may have an explanation of why it happened. I was tired, I rationalize. Or, I didn't get enough help from other people. I made a mistake because I needed
support. I wasn't given all the information. "Instead of talking about other people's affairs, let me drive off my own wasps" (Japanese Proverb).
Because I see and understand things from my own perspective, my mistake may seem less important than someone else's error. Unable or unwilling to delve into another's experience, I judge them on what I see on the surface. Why did she mess up? There is no excuse! I can't believe he did that! I would never stoop so low. Ah, but Jesus knows our game, even though these thoughts may never be spoken out loud. As usual, Jesus understands our humanness but seeks to lift us to a higher level. When we hear Jesus' words, we have to smile. We recognize that as easy as it is to see what's wrong with another person, it is harder to to recognize and admit our own mistakes.
Take From: The Wisdom of Jesus 'When Jesus Asks You Not To Judge'
Ma Betty