Speck!

May 25, 2023

Specks!

I love people!

I enjoy getting to know new people and spending time with the people I already know. 

I am inspired when I listen to the stories people tell and encouraged when I watch someone step into a God-sized dream.

I find refreshment in my relationships with children and always learn something new in my friendships with teen-agers.

I love people.  I see each person as a child of God; not perfect but special…not flawless but growing…not blameless but accepted.

I remember the words of God the Father after Jesus’ baptism.  As Jesus comes out of the waters of the Jordan River, the Father speaks to His son.  In Luke 3:22 we hear; “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Every person wants (needs!) to hear these words.  We want our Heavenly Father to say to us; “You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased.” 

We need to know we are loved.

We need to know we are accepted.

We need to know we have a place in the Father’s heart.

We need to hear these words because the world keeps messaging us that we are not loved, we are not accepted, and we do not belong.  The world keeps messaging us that we are unworthy, undeserving, and unimportant.

We hear these messages from people we know as well as people we have never met before.  The criticism leads us to believe we are not a precious child of God, we are not loved by Jesus, and the Father is not pleased with us.

We often feel judged.

Sadly, you and I participate in this judging of other people.  By our attitude, our actions, and our words we heap up criticism and judgement on other people.  You and I are often responsible for convincing other people that do not belong.

Jesus does not mince words when He speaks about our temptation to judge and criticize.  In Matthew 7:1 Jesus says; “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.”  That almost sounds like it could be one of the Ten Commandments.

But then, Jesus gets personal about this whole judging thing.  In Matthew 7:3 Jesus says; “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” 

When we criticize or judge or put someone down, we are putting ourselves above that other person.  We are exhibiting a holier-than-thou attitude rather than living and loving like Jesus. 

Jesus says that we are not going to go very far in life, in work, or on the team if most of our energy is spent criticizing and judging other people.  The spiritual pride involved in criticizing other people will quickly create distance in my relationship with that person, with other people, and with Jesus.

Here is the humbling part of this “speck” thing.  In Matthew 7:2 Jesus says; “For with the judgment you make you will be judged…”  In another translation the text reads; “God will be as hard on you as you are on others!  He will treat you exactly as you treat them.”

I love people.  But, I know there are times when I see (maybe actively look for!) the “speck” in another person’s life and fail to see the “log” in my own life.  Here are two things I have learned.

First, the temptation to criticize and judge comes when I least expect it.  In other words, being judgmental is something with which I struggle from time to time.

Second, hanging around people who are always criticizing and judging other people is not healthy for me.  I am quickly and easily drawn into spiritual pride that leads me to believe I am better than the other person.

I imagine you know someone who is struggling with being judgmental or critical right now.  It is important to recognize that your friend is struggling with spiritual pride.  Don’t be too quick to dismiss or distance them. 

Instead, invite them to coffee this week.  Spend some time loving them like Jesus loves them.  And when the moment comes, address the matter of spiritual pride.  When they begin to refrain from judging and criticizing other people, the Holy Spirit will fill their heart with delight; a delight only the Lord can give!

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug