Bible Passage: “First take the beam of wood out of your eye …” (Matthew 7:5 CSB)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-5; 1 John 1:9
Yesterday, we looked at how the source of conflict in relationships lies in our own hearts and in God’s call to humble ourselves.
We may be able to understand the theoretical idea of this, but in today’s Scripture reading, Jesus moves beyond theory to the very practical.
When a relationship is broken, our first instinct is often fight-or-flight. We become passive and withdraw from the relationship, or we become angry and push for what we want.
Neither option represents the way of Jesus.
The starting point in reconciliation is to be honest about how you contributed to the breakdown of the relationship.
Jesus is very clear in His teaching:
We need to deal with the beam in our own eye first.
The exaggerated point Jesus makes is needed for most men. Don’t make the mistake of automatically assuming that the other person is the bigger problem. You have a beam of wood to deal with, compared to the speck they need to deal with.
You and I can justify our own actions or attitudes very easily, but Jesus is calling for a gut check.
What are the selfish desires that have shown up in your life through your relationship with this person?
What are the ways you are trying to control their life rather than encouraging them to be the person God designed and made them to be?
What are all the ways your sin has manifested itself in this relationship?
Bring your own sins before God. Don’t minimize them—your sins are what nailed Jesus to a cross. This is what it looks like to humble yourself before God.
The good news is, Jesus died for those sins, and forgiveness is possible for you—the same way it is possible for the person on the other side of this story.
This is not an easy step, but it is necessary, as it will prepare you for what God wants next in your journey towards reconciliation.
Prayer: God, show me the ways I have sinned against this person and against You. Forgive me for my sins. Give me a new heart and perspective on this situation. Amen.
Reflection: How does God’s forgiveness of the beam in your eye impact you? How do you feel about the speck in the other person’s eye now?
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