Looking Better

Today's Gospel Reading is Matthew 7:1-5.
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1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 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? 5 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.

My, how easy it is to point fingers and condemn others. We see sins, failures, or shortcomings in others, and we almost pounce on the chance to point these out to others. Or perhaps, we just make a mental note, reminding ourselves that at least we don't do that.

This can happen in a variety of areas. It could be sins: lust, gossip, lying, anger, etc. It could be simple weaknesses: someone else is not very theologically astute, doesn't make wise decisions, or is driven more by impulse than reason. Or it could be personality flaws: talks too much, makes awkward jokes or comments, or always appears rigid or cold. Whatever it is, don't we just love highlighting someone else's flaws?

Clearly, one of the major reasons we do this is to make ourselves look better. We want it to be known that we aren't like them. We might not mention ourselves in the conversation, but if others look really bad, then of course, we look really good. Thus, we proclaim our superiority - either explicitly or implicitly - to ourselves, to others, or even to God.

That's right, even our prayers can be judgmental and self-centered. Ever thought about that?

What we tend to forget, however, is that the louder we declare the failures of others, the louder we proclaim our own hypocrisy. We prove that we aren't concerned with sin, per se, but rather with other people's sin; it's only wrong and important to me, when they commit it. I guarantee that other people notice this, because they are scrutinizing your faults, just like you're scrutinizing theirs.

Plus, aren't the things that really bother you in other people really just the same things that you do over and over? I know when I was leading the youth group, the students that really frustrated me were the talkative, impatient, and demanding ones. Why? Because I'm talkative, impatient, and demanding.

Thus, it seems to me that instead of using other people as a dart board, we should use them as a mirror. When we sin the sins, failures, and shortcomings of others, we should ask immediately, "How much do I do that too? What they are doing is wrong. How often do I do that? I bet I'm like them. I need to change."

The reflection may not be pretty. In fact, it may be downright hideous. But you won't change your appearance until you know something is wrong, and the same is true of your life. That is what Christ is teaching here; see your sin and change your own life. Don't worry about theirs. Of course, as with everything else, we need His help... a lot.

So remove that blank from your eye. Not only will you see better, you might actually start to look better too.

Dear gracious God. Unto You do I flee. As I reflect upon the sins of others, I realize just how sinful I actually am. I'm not as good, righteous and holy as I think I am. In fact, if I'm honest, I realize that I'm far more sinful than those around me. I need to sit in Your lap of mercy. I need Your healing and comforting arms around me, and I can go no other place than to Your bosom. Help me see my sin for what it is; help me to care; and help me to get rid of it. I need You. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.