There is a Log in the Way
There’s a reason for everything— or so I’ve been told. This time I applied these words to a verse being read in the book of Matthew. As I read it, something new surfaced.
What verse am I speaking of? Matthew 7:3-5: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own? 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.”
It’s a useful verse for sure— one which teaches much. However, it can also be misused and the gold nuggets within can quickly turn a tad rusty. Can you see where the breaking point is? Can you see which word of instruction could also be used to name call instead of instruct? And when misused, can you see where the instruction might be missed?
I’ll share which word I’m referring to in a minute, but first, let’s back up and ask one more question. Is God a loving God? 1 John 4:8 is clear.”Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” This not only suggests that God is a loving God but that He is love.
When we look at the log/ speck verse in Matthew, we understand the meaning of it—until we see the word I was referring to at the beginning of this article. To what word am I referring? It’s the word “hypocrite.” When we reach the word “hypocrite,” things quickly go south. It can be a conversation shutter downer. I’ve heard it used to name call—turning the point of instruction into shame based admonishment. When used as a shield in self defense, the finger pointing begins.
As God is love, it doesn’t seem to jive as to why He would use such harsh terminology knowing we’d most certainly misuse it. If there is a reason for everything, what could be His reason for using this term? Could it be He’s tenderly tough so we might see more clearly and when we see more clearly we’ll be able to better help our neighbor? Perhaps God, who is a God of love, desires we work on our shortcomings first in order to better help those whom He also loves.
When we take time to look into the things we need work on, sort out the issues attached to them—then and only then will we be able to help our neighbor see more clearly.
In short, the reason we need to remove the log is to be able to help our brothers and sisters in love.
As we tenderly reflect upon our shortcomings—may they no longer blind or bind us. May we gently take any specs out of others by humbly confessing our own. Amen.
