It is annoying to see others get away with something. We want justice to be done – except when it’s us.
Perhaps when we reflect on this, our longing for justice is an opportunity for self-reflection. Perhaps the injustice we see bothers us because we have something deep within us that needs to be dealt with.
Usually the reason we can see the speck in the eye of another is because we have the same problem. The more the behavior of another annoys us, the more likely we are to need to deal with that behavior ourselves.
The next time someone annoys you, or you are inclined to judge, use it as an opportunity for self-examination. “What fault is this showing me I need to deal with in myself? Is there a slight that needs forgiving?”
When we judge, we are doing a job that properly belongs to God’. We can trust that justice will reign, God has promised it. At the same time we can be grateful Jesus has born our sins in full payment for our own injustice. When we see others in sin, perhaps we need to hand over to God, to let him deal with in due time.
Perhaps we need to do a speck removal. But only after we have dealt with our own issues.
Looking within causes us to fall on the mercy of God. Thank goodness he is merciful!
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
– Matthew 7:5