The Log in one's own eye

Many think it is the other one who is religious. Many think it is the other person who is deceived. Many think it is the other one who is on the wide road. Many think it is the other guy who cannot preach. Many ridicule their kings, spiritual leaders and their secular leaders. Many Christians continue to be like the pharisee in the parable who is thanking God for not being like the other guy (tax collector) and continues to point such people out. This is but self righteousness. Did God tell us such a particular person is deceived or a false prophet and did HE tell us to go tell the world regarding that particular person? Have we been given that authority as an individual to do such a thing? We may know to a degree who is really deceived or false in our hearts but have we been given the authority to point them out? There is MORE POWER to pray for them then judging others in which we may not have the authority to judge. Paul said what business is it his to judge outsiders when that is God's business.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (AMP) So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.

1 Corinthians 4:7 (AMP) For who separates you from the others [as a faction leader]? [Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?] What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it [from someone], why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?

We are all guilty of this. But it is important that the Holy Spirit helps us realize the log in our own eye so we may be set free by His Truth.

When we stop looking at others and first look at the log in our own eyes, then we will see who is deceived. Perhaps, it is really the person looking in the mirror. We are justified by looking at our own sins and asking for mercy and not pointing the sins and shortcomings of others. Be careful that you do not get swept in the tidal wave of the mob mentality to go after people just as Korah did when they attempted to overthrow God's authority and ended up in hell by being swallowed by the earth.

Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men:10Two men went up into the temple [[i]enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11The Pharisee [j]took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men--extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers--or even like this tax collector here. 12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain.13But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the [k]especially wicked sinner that I am!14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Proverbs 14:12 (AMP) There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12 is being addressed for the reader, YOU! It was not written so that we can look for the faults of the "other person."

If we are going to point to anyone, let us point to the author of our Salvation and lift Him up. God has the devil to be the finger pointer for accusations. Why are so many helping the devil? Let us repent and bear fruit of the Holy Spirit. Let us bear fruit of righteousness and NOT self righteousness.

Fire of God!