“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and fail to notice the plank in your own?” Matthew 7 

Humans have a keen capacity for selective blindness. A red flag hangs in plain sight and becomes a decorative banner if we continue to forbid a fair opinion of our own character. Yet the conflict within ourselves can become the engine of transformation. 

Mark Twain, 1835-1910, writer and humorist, stated the propensity for this hypocrisy with his amusing punch,  

“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.” 

If we pretend to read hearts, we should not be surprised when others do the same to us. A hard and critical spirit has a way of returning to its source. As the British preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “Those around you will pick up the peck measure you have been using and measure your corn with it.” 

My own plank often appears on the highway. I may grow impatient with the driver speeding past me or with the one moving far below the speed limit. Yet, given another day or circumstance, am I not capable of being both? 

Jesus’ teaching is disarmingly simple: Your personal unaddressed faults are most likely larger than those you are judging. Reformation always begins at home, or in your very own car. Beep Beep.

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, I confess I sometimes find myself quick to judge my brothers and sisters. I fail to remember we are all in need of grace and compassion. I seek your forgiveness for harboring a critical spirit and being blind to my own shortcomings. Help me embrace a spirit of humility and remind me of the power of love and kindness. Amen