Steve Murrell
  • About
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Sermons
  • Books
  • The Leadership Runway
Select Page

Plank in the Eye Syndrome

Why is it so easy to read a book or hear a sermon and apply it to someone else? Why can’t we apply truth to ourselves and not worry about others? Why can’t we let the Holy Spirit convict and change others, just as he does us? Why do we act as if he needs our help dealing with his people?

Jesus had something to say about those who apply truth to others while ignoring their own issues:

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)

Jesus called these spiritual inspectors hypocrites. Ouch. That would be me at times—the times I read or hear something and apply it to others rather than to myself—the times I focus on the dust in other’s eyes while ignoring the log in mine.

A couple of the blogs I occasionally read both mentioned this idea recently. Check out what Steven Furtick and Perry Noble think about picking splinters out of the eyes of others.

More

Legalistic Leadership

Legalistic Leadership

Think Like A Leader, Video

Sometimes, well-meaning spiritual leaders create religious rules that make it difficult for people...

The Gospel as Fact, Forgiveness, and Freedom

The Gospel as Fact, Forgiveness, and Freedom

Think Like A Leader, Video

In the book of Acts, the apostles preached the gospel in such a way that people wanted to hear...

Whom to Listen To

Whom to Listen To

Think Like A Leader, Video

With the cacophony of Christian influencers broadcasting their opinions, doctrines, and...

« Older Entries
  • About
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Sermons
  • Books
  • The Leadership Runway

SteveMurrell.com/Copyright © 2025

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow