I have to ask… Is this Word Wednesday or “grab a big ol’ brick and smack Jodie upside the head Wednesday”? I’m just asking, because when this verse popped up, I had to double check to make sure I was in the right book of the Bible for this week. Honestly. This is what “chastisement” looks like, my friends.
But before we get to that, make sure you take a look at the book of Luke and drop into the comments to share with us what touched you this week. Then we’ll all read John together next week. Get ready. God definitely speaks when you read His Word. Trust me on this one.
Luke 6:42:b (NAS)–You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out he speck that is in your brother’s eye.
Word Wednesday is personal for me every week, but some weeks, it’s personal. I’ll save the all-about-me talk for this week and say this instead… If we all stopped judging our neighbors and started looking at ourselves, how different would our world be? How would entertainment change? How would politics, relationships, life in general look? I can’t imagine. Oh, but I’d love to see that, wouldn’t you?
We can’t do it on our own. We’re pretty much programmed to notice and even revel in the sins of others. That’s why gossip magazines sell so well. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can reach inside us and change us the way we need to be changed. If we all took this verse seriously, this world would see a revival unlike any it’s ever seen, don’t you think?
And the bigger question… are we ready to do it?
-JB
Jennifer says
I think it’s also important to notice the ending, “…then you will see clearly…” This verse isn’t saying not to deal with conflict and not to address son. Instead, it’s saying, “examine yourself first so you can rationally deal with the issue.” a large amount of our reactions are based on our personal baggage, misunderstanding and sin. If we can honestly evaluate ourselves, reactions and motivations, then we will be more equipped to deal with conflict in a healthy, effective manner.
Jodie says
Ooh, I like that! I had never considered how much our experiences affect our judgment. Nice one, Jen!
Dawn Lucowitz says
I am really liking Luke 11:34. “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.”
About a year and a half ago, I made a very conscious, yet difficult decision to give up a tv show that I really liked. I knew it was horrible, but figured, that it was ok, because I knew it was just entertainment for me. I will admit that my guilty pleasure was South Park. At the same time I became more aware of the other tv shows I was watching and what music I was listening to. Sometimes you don’t realize what kind of junk is getting into your head and how it is affecting your thinking and behavior.
Today, I went and saw Cars 2. I enjoyed it (not nearly as much as the first), but it really made me think about what we are letting children watch. It was pretty violent, but normal by today’s worldly standards. This verse just reminds me that we need to be aware of what we are letting our eyes, and the eyes of our children see.
Jodie says
It’s HARD to guard our eyes. And our ears. I was thinking this morning about Cailin and how hard it is–and how much harder it may get– to keep good things in front of her. Yep, even children’s entertainment is out of control.