Watch out for Logs!
I was recently reminded of Jesus’ words, “as you judge, you will be judged.” Someone sought my help for how to deal with her husband. He was so self-centered he never considered her, what she wanted, or what she liked to do.
As she talked, she mentioned ways he had considered her, but she had taken them for granted because she didn’t get to do the thing that she really wanted. It soon became apparent that she was exhibiting what she was judging him for—being self-centered, and not considering others.
While accusing him of focusing on what he wanted and for not considering her, she was focused on her desires and how she wanted her husband to meet them.
It sounded like the husband may have had a problem, but he wasn’t the only one. It reminds me of the old saying that it takes a pot to call a kettle black. Sadly, I’ve found that if I get upset with my husband on similar issues, it seems I’m also struggling with the very thing I’m upset with him about.
As I’ve observed this over time, every time I’ve been upset with my husband, I always have unrighteousness in me as well. It may be as simple as not walking in love at the moment. (Check 1 Cor. 13 if you’re upset with someone and can’t find unrighteousness in yourself!) However, it is uncanny to me how often—if I’m honest with myself—that I find I’m beset with the same offense I’m mad at him for.
It’s disheartening. But, seeing the tendency is also a quick fix for finger pointing. It’s hard to stay angry at somebody else when you see you’re guilty of the same thing. Jesus tells us that in the way we judge we will be judged (Matt. 7), but I wonder if He could have turned that around to say, “when you have unrighteousness in your own heart, you’ll be quick to see it in others.”
He did go on to tell us to take the log out of our own eye before we attempt to take the speck out of another’s. Obeying that directive may be disheartening at first, but it sure brings freedom—whether you deal with the speck in his eye or not.
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