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, “Brother let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:41-42)
In the movie, Grace Unplugged, a father’s criticism and authoritarian anger chase his eighteen-year-old daughter, Grace, into the secular music world where she is challenged by drugs, alcohol, and sex. As the praise and worship leader at his church, he yells at Grace every time she is moved to change the dynamics of a musical score. When she rebels, he criticizes every area of her life.
During this movie, I was moved to yell at James Benson who played the father, “Let God be the authority. Set a good example.” Then I remembered times when I, too, was a hypocrite yelling at my children for something as insignificant as not completing a chore. I failed for years to see the plank in my own eye.
Lord, when I find a reason to be critical of another, remind me to come to you in prayer to decide whether to respond lovingly or not at all. When I make a mistake, You respond with love and grace. Let me follow your example. Amen
I needed this Bible verse and your writing this morning. I was a huge hypocrite yesterday, and yelled at Victoria. Father, God, help me to remember to take a deep breathe and respond with love and grace.
Dearest Sis, I had the most difficult time learning to curb my temper. We had a father who yelled to punish us growing up, and I think you told me at one point that you deserved it. No child deserves to be yelled at. It is better than being beaten like our father was, but still every child needs to be taught with love. When I realized it was wrong, it took me five years of praying every day (okay, I forgot some days) for God to change me. When someone got my dander up, anger welled in me, and I couldn’t control my temper. Now I can. Thanks be to God!