Hi, I’m Beth Steffaniak and I’m a recovering “Speck Inspector.”

Yessiree, I’m guilty as charged! And if you asked my hubby, he would definitely nod in agreement.

This concept is revealed to us in Matthew 7:1-5, where Jesus provides a very “eye-opening” truth about humanity’s habit of judging others. He says that we cannot be “Speck Inspectors” unless we take the “plank” out of our own eye.

Have you ever gone throughout a day with a dangling piece of spinach stuck between your teeth, or perhaps a gaping hole in the back of your pants? You couldn’t see those things for obvious reasons, but others—well, let’s just say, they might see a little more than they’d like to see!

I think that’s the way it is with our sin. Others can see it more clearly and … are often impacted by it more significantly.

Imagine how it might be if that “plank” was literally sticking out of your eye. How much damage would it cause to anyone standing near?! You’d turn your head to respond to your spouse and … kabam! You’d probably feel like you finally got your spouse’s attention! So you lean in a bit more to “nab that pesky particle” ... After all it’s the least you can do!

Only problem is, you’re totally oblivious to the boring your “plank” is now doing … “buzzzz—owwie!”

That’s how it is when we attempt to inspect the speck in our mate’s eye—more damage is done than good.

You might feel like your spouse has the plank and you have the speck. But that’s just what a “plank” will do to your vision. It will convince you that all the anger, damage and pain you just saw coming from your dazed spouse was due to their speck and most certainly not from you!

Jesus wants us to understand how very destructive pride can be in a relationship. Anytime we feel we are superior to our spouse {or others}, we are allowing a speck to grow out into a plank.

You might be saying, “Well, you just don’t know how abusive and immoral my spouse is! Certainly that would qualify them as a ‘plank-bearer.’” And I’d say, you’re probably right, but that doesn’t decrease the size of your plank!

That’s because the moment you feel that you aren’t as big of a sinner as your spouse, is the moment that you’ll be just north of Pinocchio territory!

From this biblical text I think there are three important truths we dare not ignore.

Being consumed with what’s wrong with your spouse  …

• Won’t make the problem right.
• Will involve you in the wrong (Mt. 7:2). And …
  
• Will result in at least the same amount of judgment and negative consequences for you as it will for your spouse (Mt. 7:2).
  

So what would having a humble and Christ-like attitude toward your spouse’s sin look like?

Would it look more like a gloating Pharisee or more like a cross-bearing Savior?

In what ways are you trying to be a “Speck Inspector” to your mate?

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