It’s More Important Than Someone Else’s Sawdust
In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus tells us that we will be judged the way we judge others. He says that we should focus on our own mistakes and shortcomings first, not others’.
When it comes right down to it, we have no control over what others do. We can only control ourselves. Pointing out other people’s mistakes and failures is often done as a way of taking our attention off our own weaknesses.
Our focus should be on our own planks.
This doesn’t mean that we should turn a blind eye to someone doing something wrong. It means we should be clear on what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how we do it.
To help us with this Jesus goes on in Matthew 7:7-12 to tell us what to do.
He says to, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
This is how we get our priorities in the right order. It’s about aligning our thoughts and desires with His. It’s about going to God first and asking for His guidance and direction.
We are to help others, not judge them. This can only happen when we are focused on God first.
Judgement is for God … not us.
We need to focus on God and our own planks, not other people’s sawdust.