How to Spot My Blind Spots

In Matthew 7:3 I read, “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?” (NIV)

Before I judge someone else, remember that I have blind spots in my own life. Blind spots are attitudes or weaknesses that I cannot see or refuse to see, even though they cause conflict with others.

For instance, I may be constantly argumentative and not realize I turn simple conversations into debates. Jesus says that when I feel the urge to judge someone because of their blind spots, think of it as an opportunity to uncover my own and to address them.

He talked about this in the Sermon on the Mount: “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” (Matthew 7:3-5 NIV).

He’s saying, “How dare you? Why am I so concerned about the sin in someone’s else’s life when I haven’t dealt with the even greater sin in my own life? Take care of my blind spots so that I will be able to see clearly to help others.”

I will tend to judge in others what I dislike about myself? If you’re lazy and you know it—and you don’t like that about yourself—then you tend to see it more in others and judge them. If you’re prideful or greedy, you tend to spot that quickly in other people. Whatever I tend to struggle with, I’ll notice in others more easily.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:31, “If we judged ourselves in the right way, God would not judge us” (NCV).

Think about what that verse is saying: If I would seriously examine my life and self-evaluate my own weaknesses, faults, and failures, then God wouldn’t have to judge me.

God is for me, not against me. He already knows my blind spots, and wants to help me address them so that I can mature in my own faith.

In summary, why look at a speck of sawdust in someone else's eye and pay no attention to a plank in mine. Before I judge someone else, I need to remember that I have blind spots in my own life. Blind spots are attitudes or weaknesses that I cannot see or refuse to see, and they cause conflict with others. Jesus says that when I feel the urge to judge someone because of their blind spots, think of it as an opportunity to review and uncover my own, and address them. I tend to judge in others what I dislike about myself and whatever I tend to struggle with. I’ll notice it in others more easily. If I would seriously examine my life and self-evaluate my own weaknesses, faults, and failures, then God wouldn’t have to judge me. God is for me, not against me. He already knows my blind spots, and wants to help me address them so that I can mature in my own faith.

Father thank you for this reminder today. I ask with the help of your Holy Spirit that I be reminded of this and look to my own faults and areas I need to change or grow in. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.