Hopelessly Flawed

Matthew 7:3-5—“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 log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.”

Why is it so difficult for us to look inside ourselves and be honest about our flaws?  So many people I know walk around as if they are infinitely perfect in a world full of hopelessly flawed people.  To be sure, each of us is hopelessly flawed, and none of us is perfect.  So, why is it easy to ignore our own faults while we dwell on those of others?  When we become preoccupied with other people’s flaws, we breed negative emotions like hate, jealousy, envy, pride, and judgment.  Not only do we hurt ourselves by allowing these negative emotions to live within us, but we also fail to show the compassion we all desire.  Don’t we all want someone who is compassionate and merciful to overlook our own shortcomings?  Maybe that is why it is hard for us to be honest with ourselves – we are so used to being judged by others for our inadequacies that we need some compassion, even if it just comes from within.  If we start treating others with the compassion we wish to receive, soon, that compassion will overshadow any faults we possess.  Soon, that compassion will be the only thing that other people can see because it will speak to their most essential needs.

Today as you pray and meditate on His Word, praise God for His Compassion.  Rejoice in His Love for us.  Pray that He would fill you with compassion for others so that all those around you would feel His Love through you.  Ask Him to remove all judgmental thoughts that push others away so that you can be truly intimate with your fellow man, and in turn grow ever more intimate with Him.