“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? …You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3–5
One of the most challenging and liberating truths in the Christian life is this: you are the first sinner you must confront. Before we presume to correct, rebuke, or critique others—whether in the church, the culture, or our own homes—Jesus insists we begin with the log in our own eye.
This is not a call to passivity, but to ordered faithfulness. It is only after the log is removed that we can see clearly to help others. Self-examination, then, is not an escape from responsibility but the beginning of real spiritual clarity and maturity.
Jonathan Edwards, known for his theological precision and personal holiness, once resolved: “To act in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I; and… to let the knowledge of others’ failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.”
This is the way of wisdom—of humility that yields insight, and repentance that bears fruit.
Zeal Without Roots
Many of us know what it’s like to become energized by new theological understanding, only to watch that zeal outpace our spiritual depth. We’ve discovered what’s right, and we want everyone else to be as right as we now are—in word and deed. But as one older and wiser pastor once said to me: “A lot of young Christians, when they get good theology, or learn good practices, become dangerous. They’re still young fools with a lot of sin they haven’t worked through. What they need most is to sit down, shut up, and grow up.”
This applies to more than just the young. It applies to anyone who’s tempted to correct others before correcting themselves, who wants to teach before they’ve learned to listen, or who wants to speak before they’ve mastered silence and self-control.
We live in an opinion-saturated age. Everyone has something to say. But biblically speaking, we must be something before we say something. Maturity matters. Holiness matters. Humility matters.
As C.S. Lewis said, “It is a terrible thing that the worst of all the vices can smuggle itself into the very center of our religious life.” That vice is pride—the kind that critiques others while neglecting our own obedience.
In God’s kindness He has revealed much to me over the years, reforming my views and practices. I was once so sure of myself, having a hermeneutic that was always so black and white. I was right and everyone else was wrong. But over the years God revealed to me that I was arrogant and foolish. Often things require nuance, understanding good and necessary consequence, and application of the whole of Scripture rather than a few verses. These days I try a lot harder to be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19).
The Worst Sinner You Know
In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul writes: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
Paul, one of the most Christlike men in the New Testament, identified himself not as a moderate sinner—not even as an average sinner—but as the chief of sinners. Why?
Because Paul knew his own heart. He knew the secret sins, the sinful desires, the self-righteous thoughts, the temptations he faced daily, and the blasphemies he once committed in ignorance. He wasn’t play-acting humility. He was telling the truth.
So it must be with us. Each of us is the worst sinner we know—not because we’ve necessarily committed more public sins than others, but because we alone know the full catalog of our sin. We know what we’ve thought, what we’ve wanted, what we’ve hidden. And that knowledge should drive us to the cross with trembling and thanksgiving.
True Faithfulness Begins at Home
Before we start fixing the world or confronting the church or correcting our spouse or children even, we need to ask:
- Am I faithfully worshiping with God’s people and submitting to the local church?
- Am I devoted to the Word and to prayer in my everyday life?
- Am I living out the gospel in my relationships—with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers?
- Do I steward my time, money, and body well? Do I eat with thankfulness, rest with trust, and work with excellence? Do I give 100% in service to others, or do I just try to do enough to get by… to work just hard enough to not get fired?
- Do I practice hospitality? Do I speak with grace? Am I quick to repent and eager to forgive?
Whether you are young or old, single or married, man or woman—these are the basics of Christian discipleship. And they are often the most neglected, especially by those who are the most eager to “make a difference.”
It’s common for children to kind of do their chores… They mow the grass, but don’t move objects in the yard, and instead just mow around them. They do the dishes, but intentionally leave dishes laying around the house. They clean their room but hide toys and clothes under their bed instead of putting them where they belong. And all too often adults are just the same, doing just enough to get by, cutting corners, and doing sloppy work, instead of doing everything with excellence as unto the Lord. We are called to give 100% in our efforts, for God’s glory. And given that God’s Word calls us to seek to outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10), often it is right and good to give 110% when working in service for others.
“Getting by” is not the Christian way. Yet so many of us are just getting by in so many ares of our personal walk with the Lord. We might care a lot about reading and studying, but are lazy and halfhearted in the practical everyday application of such things. Or we might care a lot about working hard and doing the next right thing, but are lazy when it comes to study, or our prayer life, or whatever…
If this describes you—and it likely does in one way or another—you must repent. But take heart, this is something that Christians must do all the time. As Martin Luther said: “The whole life of the Christian ought to be a kind of continual repentance.”
Whole-Life Faithfulness
Maturity is not measured by how much theology we know or how passionately we critique others. It is measured by the integrity of our lives. As Van Til taught, there is no neutrality in any area of life. Christ is Lord of it all—our theology, yes, but also our homes, habits, money, jobs, bodies, tongues, and time.
G.K. Chesterton once observed: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Too many of us want to fight the battles of the church and culture without first fighting the battle in our own hearts.
Practical Counsel for a Critical Age
So where do we begin? Here are four encouragements for believers in every stage of life:
- Start with the log. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Name your sins honestly. Confess and forsake them. Seek accountability. This is the path to spiritual clarity.
- Pursue ordinary faithfulness. Attend worship. Read the Word. Pray. Show kindness. Keep your promises. Practice hospitality. These are not small things—they are the heart of the Christian life.
- Be slow to speak. Listen first. Learn from others—especially those further along in the faith. Test your insights in the context of real obedience, not just abstract debate.
- Cultivate gratitude and humility. The more you grow in holiness, the less you will trust yourself and the more patient you will be with others. Conviction is right and good, but be careful about dying on the wrong hills at the wrong time, because you might be wrong.
The Church needs bold witnesses, clear thinkers, and strong reformers. But first it needs faithful men and women who love Jesus deeply, walk in repentance daily, and serve quietly, steadily, and with joy. We must have a backbone. We must have conviction. But before we take the speck from another’s eye, let us take the log from our own. Then, by God’s grace, we will see clearly—and serve fruitfully.
As John Calvin once said:“He who has learned to judge himself aright will be more cautious in judging others.” May the Lord enable us to tread these waters faithfully.
In Christ’s service and yours,
Nick Esch