A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

EXAMINE YOURSELF FIRST       

Matthew 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How 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? You 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.” 

St. Paul encourages you to self-examination. Rather than finding fault with and criticizing another person, “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions . . . without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:3-5)  

While on earth, Jesus was frequently confronted by the Pharisees because He associated with sinners. Pharisees apparently spent significant time and energy finding fault with others while failing to first recognize their own sinfulness. They prided themselves on living their lives perfectly.   

In today’s devotional verses, Jesus exhorts you to concentrate on self-examination. A quick way to do this is to review the Ten Commandments. They will quickly point out the number of times your life does not measure up to the conduct God expects of you. Rather than examining the lives of others, Jesus says it is important that you first look at your own life and see your own sins.   

You commit sins on a daily basis. Rather than trying to find fault in others, first examine your own thoughts, words, and activities. Today’s thoughts from Jesus flow out of what He said in Matthew 7:1-3 (yesterday’s devotional thoughts) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

St. Paul exhorts you to “build up” your brothers and sisters in the faith. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) He wrote, “. . . pursue the things which make for peace . . . “ (Romans 14:19) The writer to the Hebrews urges Christians to “ . . . encourage one another day after day . . .” (Hebrews 3:13) In Ephesians 4:29 St. Paul urges that when you speak, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Hebrews 10:24 urges you to “ . . . consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds . . .” 

Prayer: Fill my heart, mind, and mouth with Your gospel Lord, that I strive daily to build up my brothers and sisters in Christ. In His holy name. Amen. 

Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways   
To keep His statutes still!  
Oh, that my God would grant me grace  
To know and do His will! 

Order my footsteps by Thy Word  
And make my heart sincere;  
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,  
But keep my conscience clear. 

Assist my soul, too apt to stray,  
A stricter watch to keep;  
And should I e’er forget thy way,  
Restore They wand’ring sheep.  

Make me to walk in Thy commands—   
‘Tis a delightful road—  
Nor let my head or heart or hands  
Offend against my God.  

Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways - LSB 707