Matthew 7:3-5

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Scripture: Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote of of thy brother's eye.

Observation: I usually begin my meditation of God's word by looking for the verbs... what is it that is being done or should be done - there are a few interesting ones right at the beginning of this section of scripture...

Behold -  To fix the eyes or attention upon an object; to attend; to direct or fix the mind, to observe with care.

Consider - To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to think on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on.

In this section of scripture, Jesus is speaking - and He is asking why we are so busy getting involved with the little issues in another person's life when we have not dealt with the larger issues in our own. He specifically asks why we are giving such careful attention to their lives when we have not stopped to carefully examine our own.  But the verse doesn't end there. Jesus also tells us what to do in our own lives so that we may be a blessing to others. The last section of this scripture tells us that we need to cast out the beam (that which is hindering us from seeing the true condition of our life) before we can help another with their trials. And before we can do that, we really need a careful examination of what our lives are like according to God's word. Are we saved? Are we obeying God? Are there areas of sin in our lives that we have not dealt with? Are there things in our life that will turn others away from God? So many questions to ponder... When we have taken the time to make sure that our own lives are right with God, it is then that we can help our brethren with the issues that they are facing... Jesus doesn't tell us not to help, but He does tell us to make sure we are the right one for the job.
 
Application: I am a fix it person. I want to help others with any area that they are struggling with, but at the same time, I am often not the right person for the job (and usually when I am, it is a job I REALLY don't want!) God gives each of us different talents, different skills and different experiences. He also gives each of us our own trials. Before we get involved with someone else's life, we need to make sure that we are right with God - that we are obeying His word and call upon our own lives. We need to be living in God's word and will, and then He will be able to use us to help another. But if we are stubbornly resisting, we will be that hypocrite that Jesus was speaking to... and I don't know about you, but I certainly never want Jesus to point to me and tell me that  I am a hypocrite.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your word here... and not only for the instruction to keep our hearts right before you, but for the encouragement that we can help other people. Lord, please help me to always stop and consider my own life before I get involved with another person's trials. Help me to keep my heart open and tender to your word and obedient to your instruction, and help me Lord, to be able to lead rather than direct... Use those trials that I have faced and will face in the future to encourage others. Please Lord, use my life for Your will and Your purpose. In Jesus name, Amen.