It’s a lot easier to find fault with others than it is to find fault with ourselves.
As humans, our first instinct is to point fingers at other’s people’s problems, sins and character flaws. Yet the Bible teaches us that it is wise to look to ourselves first before looking to others.
In fact, Jesus said:
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5 NKJV)
Evidently, Jesus is not referring to literal planks in this verse. So then, what is He talking about?
What are Planks?
In the verse above, our Saviour is admonishing each of us to look at our own faults, shortcomings, failures and sins first, before pointing and/or attempting to fix those of others.
We are also encouraged not to be quick to judge or condemn people for their actions or behaviour. (Matthew 7:1) As a Christian it is not your job to judge or condemn other people. For as James tells us, there is only one Lawgiver and therefore only one Judge, God. (James 4:12)
So with that said; now let’s talk about how you can start the process of removing planks from your own eyes and stop finding fault in others.
How to Remove Planks From Your Eyes
Many of us have been so focused on blowing specks of dust from the eyes of others, that we wouldn’t even know how to remove the planks in our eyes, even if we wanted to. So the question is how do you remove planks from your eyes? How do you stop finding fault with other people and focus on fixing your own faults?
Well, the first step is simple, by looking to yourself.
1. Look To Yourself
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Mathew 7:3 NKJV)
If you desire to stop finding fault with other people and actually start fixing your own faults, you have to turn your eyes away from others and look to yourself. Stop focusing on other people’s failings and shortcomings and focus on your own.
Undoubtedly, you have problem areas in your own life and weaknesses in your own character. These must be attended to if you are going to start displaying a life that is Christ-like and godly. But for as long as your eyes are on other people, condemning them, judging them, attempting to fix them, you will make no moves to fix your own problem areas and make that kind of life a reality.
Therefore, you must turn your eyes upon yourself and then ask God to reveal your problem areas.
2. Ask God for Help
Unfortunately, some people can be blind to their faults and shortcomings, so clouded are they by their judgment of others. Meanwhile, others are simply too proud or embarrassed to admit that they have faults.
Whichever category you fall into, if you truly desire to start changing yourself you must understand, and then admit that you have faults. After that, you must ask God to reveal them to you.
Ask Him to open your eyes to see the areas that you are weak in, whether it is in your character, in your treatment of others or the way you conduct yourself. Then, ask Him to help and enable you to work on those areas with the assistance of His Holy Spirit. (John 14:16)
After you have asked God for His help, the third step is changing the way you think about others and yourself.
3. Renew Your Mind
Your thoughts change once you begin renewing your mind with God’s Word. (Romans 12:2)
As you spend time, daily, reading the Bible and meditating on what you have read the Word will start taking over your thinking process. You will then begin to examine others and yourself, in the light of God’s Word.
This will help you change the way you act towards others and improve your character, making it more godly.
As you spend time in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will also bring Scriptures to your remembrance that will help you in your problem areas.
4. Start Taking Steps
The fourth and final step to removing the planks from your eyes and stop finding fault in others, is actually taking steps to do so.
After you have started looking to yourself, asked God for help and renewed your mind with God’s Word, it will now be time to act.
Start doing what you have been taught in the Word. (James 1:22) As you make an effort to do this with the help of the Holy Spirit, your character and attitude will change, without a doubt. Eventually, you will start to see your faults and shortcomings falling away.
This is not to say you will become perfect (Philippians 3:12) but each day you will be changed, renewed and become more like our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
But, What About the Other Guy?
Now, despite the emphasis on the need for you to change yourself, some of you may still be wondering about the other person.
What about the other guy? You may be asking, Sure I have a problem, but so do they? Don’t they also need to change?
It’s true that the people around you likely also have problem areas that need attending to. But it’s not your job to attend to them. Let the Holy Spirit do that.
Oftentimes, we want to take the role of the Holy Spirit. We want to be the ones to convict people of wrong and show them how to do the right thing.
Now, there is nothing wrong in desiring to help someone you believe is going astray. But it is also important to leave room for God to work in them.
That often means stepping back and, instead of hammering the truth over someone’s head, praying for them, teaching them with love when the Holy Spirit leads and ultimately, letting your actions do the preaching. (1 Peter 3:1-2)
Change Yourself and Change Your Life
Whilst you may want to remove planks from your eyes and stop finding fault in others, it is not the easiest thing to do. Letting go of your pride and humbling yourself hardly ever is. (1 Peter 5:6)
But as you change yourself and fix your problems, you will often find that you will have less reason to condemn or judge others. In fact, you are likely to find that you are less aware or bothered by other people’s faults.
So, with the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, start removing the planks that are in your eyes. Get rid of your bad attitude, character and faults and see the positive effect it will have on your life and those around you.
