February 6

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? — Luke 6:41 BSB

An old writer once said, "Men are more apt to use spectacles to behold other men’s faults, than looking glasses to behold their own."

A man can see even the tiniest speck in his neighbor’s eye, while being completely blind to the large spot in his own. You’d think that a beam in someone’s eye would prevent him from seeing the mote in his brother’s eye, yet, as Jesus points out, the man with the beam often thinks he’s the best judge to remove the speck.

The truth is, those with faults are often the first to notice similar faults in others. A vain person quickly detects vanity in another, and a bad-tempered person is the first to judge someone else’s irritability. Rude people are often the ones most offended by the rudeness of others.

If we’re quick to point out others’ faults, it’s likely that we have even greater faults ourselves. This truth should make us cautious in our judgments and humble in our criticism.