SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL

PLANK IN THE EYE

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
~Matthew 7:3

Why is it so easy to see the faults in others, yet we are blind to our own shortcomings? We are so quick to point out an imperfection to a person and talk about them to others. Yet, how often do we examine the plank of wood in our own eye, in our own hearts? We are so good at picking people apart and showcasing their speck of sawdust, while we are knocking everyone over with the huge plank in our eye.

Yes, a speck of sawdust in the eye can be a source of irritation, but a plank of wood can cause a great deal of damage...A speck of sawdust can blur your sight, but a plank of wood blocks your vision. How can you criticize someone else when your view of that person is blocked by your plank?

A plank of wood is awkward to carry and can be a heavy load. Have you ever tried to carry one? If so, then you know how easy it is to get splinters which hurt and cause soreness and even an infection. One little splinter can cause a great deal of pain. If someone bumps into your tender area, do you knock them over with your plank?

As we move throughout our day, this plank of wood not only hurts us, but it also knocks into everyone in our path. The Lord Jesus was very clear when He said: "first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Do you examine your heart daily? Do you ask the Lord to reveal the hidden things of your heart that are harming you and others? Or, are you blindly knocking everyone down around you?

When you go before the Lord each day, ask Him to whittle away at your plank, to carve out chunks of wood. The more you allow Him to chisel and whittle away at your plank, the more it will resemble the cross of Jesus. The speck in your eye will then be in the shape of a cross. Consequently, when you see others, you will view them through the eyes of our Lord and the shadow of the cross.

Prayer:
Father, forgive me for pointing out the flaws in others when I carry a huge plank in my own eye that is so harmful to me and others. Forgive me when I am impatient and irritated with others. Teach me to examine my heart daily as I spend time with you. Lord, I give you permission to whittle away at my plank. Let me see others through your eyes, through the shape of the cross...

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SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL