July 28: The Log in Your Own Eye
That guy at the meeting talks too much. That woman is clearly not working the steps. Your spouse should really look at their own drinking. Ever notice how clearly you see other people’s problems?
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”
Jesus uses a funny picture here. A man with a log sticking out of his eye, trying to pick a speck of sawdust out of his friend’s eye. It’s ridiculous. It’s meant to be. And it’s exactly what we do.
Once you start working the steps, you learn a lot about defects. That’s good. But there’s a trap. You can start seeing them everywhere, in everyone. You start sponsoring people who didn’t ask. You start keeping a mental inventory of your family’s problems.
Step Seven keeps your focus where it belongs. On your own shortcomings. Your own log. Not because other people are perfect, but because you can only work on yourself. Their specks are between them and God.
Judging others is also a sneaky way to avoid looking at yourself. If you’re busy watching the guy who talks too much, you don’t have to think about your own temper. If you’re watching your spouse’s drinking, you don’t have to look at your own resentments.
Jesus doesn’t say never help anyone. He says take the log out first. Then you’ll see clearly to help. People who’ve done their own work can help others gently. People who haven’t tend to help harshly.
So when you catch yourself judging, turn it around. Ask, “What’s this saying about me?” Often what bothers us most in others is something we recognize in ourselves.
There’s a lot of freedom in minding your own recovery. You’re not responsible for fixing everyone. Just yourself, with God’s help.
One thing today
Each time you catch yourself judging someone today, stop and name one of your own defects instead. Say it quietly to God.
A prayer
Lord, I see other people’s faults so clearly and my own so poorly. Help me take the log out of my own eye. Keep me focused on my own work, and make me gentle with others. Amen.
Keeping your eyes on your own shortcomings is what Step Seven is about.
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