Daily Success
Institute in Basic Life Principles

Command 15 : Judge Not | Day 105

Remove the Splinter!

The purpose of "removing a beam" from our own eye is to "see clearly to cast out the [splinter] out of [our] brother's eye” (Matthew 7:5). One of our natural tendencies in "splinter removal" is to tell a person that we noticed a fault in him and that he should take care of it. This approach is almost certain to cause him to bristle with indignation and react to us by saying, or at least thinking, "Who does he think he is to correct me?"

A second approach we often take is to tell a friend about another person's "splinter" and have him talk to that person. When he says, "People are offended by your actions," the person will not only react to the informant for listening to gossip, but he will also react to the one who did not come directly to him with the problem.

A third tendency we have is to avoid any confrontation and say nothing about it, but in our heart judge the person as being unspiritual or carnal. The problem with this response is that our heart attitudes will be revealed in our words and actions toward the person. He will sense in us a lack of openness and a judgmental spirit. Therefore, there must be a more effective method for addressing the faults of others.

"Splinter removal" should be approached with humility and caution. It requires a spirit of genuine love and great discernment. It is important to communicate acceptance, understand all the factors of a situation by asking appropriate questions, and wait for the right timing to approach the matter. One of the most effective ways to help another person is to share a similar problem from your own personal experience and the way you overcame it.

When we humbly explain the steps we took to cast a beam out of our own eye, others will ask us to help them remove their splinter.

At a recent conference with about 500 men in attendance, I announced that a man named Paul Speed had learned the secret of conquering lust and would be happy to help any other man do the same. Not one man responded to this offer. However, at another conference with about the same number of men and their wives, Paul and his wife publicly shared how he had come to experience daily victory in this important area. Following his session, men and couples thronged around him and wanted to talk. The next day from morning until evening, he and his wife shared with others the steps they could take to walk in victory.

Pride hinders people from asking for our help, but we can conquer that pride by humbling ourselves before them.

This is the day for journaling. What a rich resource of insights you will leave to your children if you explain how you judged various individuals and then used this judgment as a mirror to identify similar faults in your own life. As you explain the steps you took to conquer your faults, you will motivate your children to follow the same steps, and they will praise God for your humility and obedience. It is natural for men to want their families to honor them, but remember, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility" (Proverbs 18:12).

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged ...” (Matthew 7:1-2).

Daily Success
Like Twitter Pinterest GooglePlus LinkedIn Forward

Online Resources for Command 15 »

Make sure your Daily Success e-mails always go straight to your inbox by adding dailysuccess@iblp.org to your address book.

You are receiving this e-mail because you are enrolled in Daily Success, a ministry of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). E-mail addresses are never sold or given out to third parties. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Copyright © 2005–2013, Institute in Basic Life Principles. All Rights Reserved.
The Institute in Basic Life Principles is located at 707 West Ogden Ave., Hinsdale, IL 60521.
Contributing writer: Bill Gothard