Planks

Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV

"Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. [3] And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? [4] Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? [5] Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Mike Graham, a host of a daily podcast, created a show called "plank of the week" which picks out the most stupid and or bad people in the news that week.

Somehow it's human nature to gather round to judge and criticise other people, not seeing our own faults and failings.

Jesus uses an extreme illustration of what we do when we mercilessly pull others to pieces over their faults and failings without stopping to consider our own miserable selves!

Going around with planks sticking out of our spiritual eyes will result in injuries to ourselves and others. It's dangerous.

Woah! Stop and do a bit of self examination before jumping in to criticise and condemn.

This speaks to my own heart - I need to remove a few planks from my eyes or I'll become a plank of the week!

Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; [24] And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

At the Judgement we'll be called to account for ourselves and not for others.

Matthew 12:36-37 NLT

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. [37] The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."

What an awesome responsibility.

Time to lay down my planks at the foot of the beams of wood that Jesus was nailed to - the precious Cross that is my only hope of Salvation.