Matthew 7:3 “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?”

Jesus uses this comical illustration to press home His teaching about being judgemental. Jesus isn’t suggesting that other people’s inadequacies aren’t real. They do indeed get lots of things wrong. But He encourages us to look at ourselves and recognise that our failings may be much greater than the little failings of others. He isn’t saying that we should stop identifying the specks in other people’s eyes but that we should start by becoming far more self-aware.

How well do you know yourself? It is very easy for all of us to develop annoying habits and attitudes which are so deeply embedded that we are totally unaware of them. When someone points out that we are a little short of perfection, we shrug our shoulders and conclude that people just need to “take us as they find us”. Jesus suggests that this isn’t good enough. We need to let His light shine into our lives so that our shortcomings are revealed, and He can set us free from them in the power of the Spirit.

Jesus urges us not to judge people harshly because if we do so then that will be the way that He judges us. Don’t go there! We need to be constantly aware of our failings and in that way we will be always be gentle and gracious when we seek to help other people.

Question – What might be the log in your own eye?

Prayer – Lord God our Father I confess that I have sinned against You. Forgive me for those times when I have been so quick to see the failings of others and totally unaware of my own shortcomings. Amen

Released on 12 Nov 2026