Start with the Person in the Mirror
"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?" - Matthew 7:3
It’s easy to look at the lives of others and think we know better. We can be quick to judge the misfortunes and struggles of those around us, assuming that their circumstances are a result of poor decisions, or worse, that they somehow deserved it. This kind of thinking isn’t new, Jesus addressed it in His time.
People believed that tragedies were divine punishment, and if someone suffered, it must have been because they were more sinful. But Jesus shattered that mindset. He reminded them, and us, that our focus should be on our own lives, not on critiquing others.
We live in a world where it's common to see others’ problems more clearly than our own. We might analyze someone else’s marriage, criticize their parenting, or pick apart their choices, all while ignoring the areas of our own lives that need work. Jesus’ words remind us that the real work of growth and transformation starts within. We can’t change others, but we can examine ourselves.
Self-examination is uncomfortable. It’s much easier to point out the flaws in others than to admit our own. But if you want to grow—if you want to truly follow Jesus—you have to start with the person in the mirror. This isn't about condemning yourself or wallowing in guilt. It’s about taking responsibility for your own life and being honest about where you need God’s help to change.
Jesus calls us to repentance, not just in a one-time decision, but in a daily commitment to self-examination and growth. When you stop focusing on other people’s faults and start looking at where God wants to work in your heart, that’s when true transformation begins.
Take some time today to look at your life. What areas need growth? Where do you need to repent, ask for forgiveness, or seek change? God is ready to meet you in that space, not with condemnation, but with the grace to help you grow. It all starts with the person in the mirror.
It’s easy to look at the lives of others and think we know better. We can be quick to judge the misfortunes and struggles of those around us, assuming that their circumstances are a result of poor decisions, or worse, that they somehow deserved it. This kind of thinking isn’t new, Jesus addressed it in His time.
People believed that tragedies were divine punishment, and if someone suffered, it must have been because they were more sinful. But Jesus shattered that mindset. He reminded them, and us, that our focus should be on our own lives, not on critiquing others.
We live in a world where it's common to see others’ problems more clearly than our own. We might analyze someone else’s marriage, criticize their parenting, or pick apart their choices, all while ignoring the areas of our own lives that need work. Jesus’ words remind us that the real work of growth and transformation starts within. We can’t change others, but we can examine ourselves.
Self-examination is uncomfortable. It’s much easier to point out the flaws in others than to admit our own. But if you want to grow—if you want to truly follow Jesus—you have to start with the person in the mirror. This isn't about condemning yourself or wallowing in guilt. It’s about taking responsibility for your own life and being honest about where you need God’s help to change.
Jesus calls us to repentance, not just in a one-time decision, but in a daily commitment to self-examination and growth. When you stop focusing on other people’s faults and start looking at where God wants to work in your heart, that’s when true transformation begins.
Take some time today to look at your life. What areas need growth? Where do you need to repent, ask for forgiveness, or seek change? God is ready to meet you in that space, not with condemnation, but with the grace to help you grow. It all starts with the person in the mirror.
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