Specks and Logs
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 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? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:39-42)
This scenario is common among mankind. We have this inherent pride that makes us want to be the person instructing and never want to be in the place of instruction. Yet, it’s often the things that we are frequently trying to instruct in others in that we ourselves struggle with but are blind to.
This is a dangerous place to be, both for ourselves and anyone whom we are trying to lead though, because as Jesus said, both will fall. Our instruction and leading must first be from God, our perfect Teacher and the only one who is not blind to anything. As we are trained by Him, we are becoming like Him. This training enables us as we find victory after the log in our own eye is removed to then be able to be used by God to help our sibling in Christ to remove their speck.
If we attempt to remove their speck with our log still in, we’re going to inevitably cause damage to the very person we’re trying to help. Imagine a person with a log protruding from their eye. One they can’t see with the log in the way, and two, they’re going to smack the other person in the head with the log if they get near them to try to remove a speck.
Log Removal Instruction
This parable calls for humility, diligence, and discipline to sit under the daily instruction of our perfect Teacher. We all want to be used for a higher purpose and that desire is godly, but we must be willing to go through the hard process of having God remove that log out of our eye that we may not even realize is there.
Do you have any logs in your eye? Often times we are blind to them, and we should make a habit of asking God to search us and reveal any logs that are blinding us and then allow Him to use His word that’s sharper than any two-edged sword to do a spiritual surgical removal of that log. Only then, can we move from a blind person to a comforter and leader for others who have the same kind of speck or log that we once had.
When God shows you a log at any given time, be encouraged! It’s only once you realize you have one, that you can humbly surrender yourself to His removal of it. May you live log free, being able to see clearly as God uses you to remove specks from your sibling in Christ’s eyes the way He so lovingly and gently removed yours!