Is That a Speck I See?
David M. Schmaltz
I wear glasses-not contacts. I wish I could wear them, but I can’t. Oh well. Thanks be to God that I can wear glasses to correct my eyesight. But, every once in a while, I get a spot on my glasses, and I often forget to clean them. Honestly, if you are a glasses wearer, you know how frustrating it is when working, sweating, or just getting around. It is easy to smudge them.
Occasionally, I will see something and wonder, what is that stain? Or try to rub something clean only to realize that it is my glasses. It is a weird feeling. It wasn’t a smudge on my screen or glass, but on my glasses. Jesus powerfully uses a similar analogy.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your eye?4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matt. 7:3-5
Lots a truth to look at here. What on earth could this speck be? I guess just about anything that we think is wrong with our brother or sister, but for what burdens me today, let’s look at the bitter root judgment – the plank.
People are easily offended in this life. We all know it is true. Catch us on a bad day; you’re going to get a healthy dose of perspective. Of course, this is wrong. It is to our glory to overlook petty offenses. But, what about the big ones? Well, we know that Matthew 18 reveals a compelling truth. We are to forgive with complete humility over and over again.
But what if a person refuses to forgive? I mean, really forgive by moving on from the offense with grace. Then, you have a problem. This offense can grow into what is called a bitter root judgment that the Scripture says will defile many.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Heb. 12:14,15
How does that happen? Through gossip, complaining, accusation, disruption, and prayer for “needs” in the name of love - i.e., hyper-spiritual gossip.
Why can this be so defiling? Several reasons: 1. Others will pick up the offense and stumble as everything is viewed from that twisted perspective. The first to present his case seems right. 2. People are led astray into many sins such as rebellion and judgment by failing to ask questions of all parties. Remember this principle – the “children” usually take what the parents do in moderation to excess. In other words, the bitter one is leading the innocent astray. 3. A bitter root will gather the wounded who are fearful of being abused by the accuser, so they choose to follow to maintain peace. 4. This bitter person leads others into pride caused by jealousy and familiar spirits that harmonize over discontent/malcontent and past wounds.
This is a spiritual disaster and certain pain for all those involved. But the accuser, who appears to fit ironically into the form of the original accuser, is in for a very rough time.
Got a beef? Follow the Word of God. Go and show. Make peace, ask questions. Do not be led astray by bitter people who have power and influence, often using gifts of time and money, flattery, and force of personality to force others to accept their bitter narrative.
Take Paul’s advice, run for your life away from bitter people, and run with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim. 2:22
David M. Schmaltz
