Parable of the Speck and the Log

: Verse, Meaning & Lesson

The Parable of the Speck and the Log is in Matthew 7:1–5 and Luke 6:39–42. Jesus told this parable to warn against the hypocrisy of pointing out the sin in others while ignoring the obvious sin in our own lives.

Are we being honest with ourselves when we are checking ourselves according to the Word of God?

Again I ask if you remember a few Sunday Sermons ago, I asked, do you really love the person looking back at you in the mirror?

We need to take a close look at the person lookig back at us in the mirror.

Have you aligned yourself to God’s will?

Have we applied God’s word to our lives?

Let us consider these particular questions as we delve into this Sunday School lesson today.

Parable of the Speck and the In Scripture

Matthew 7:1–5 – Parable of the Speck and the Log

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.

This causes me to think of what Jesus said In John 8:7 when Jesus was in the temple teaching and the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman caught in the very act of adultery, saying Jesus we should stone her according to the law of Moses, and Jesus replies to them, he that is without sin among you let him cast the first stone at her.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the log/plank that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the log/plank out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Hypocrite-A person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right, but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs.

Questions to Ponder

Why do we always do this sort of thing?

Is it because we are trying to hide some sort of secret sin of our own?

Or is it because doing this makes us somehow seem better than one-another? We all put our pants on the same way don’t we?

Matthew 7:1–5

“1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.

2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Luke 6:39–42 – Parable of the Speck and the Log

He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.”

Luke 6:39–42

“39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?

40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?

42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

Parable of the Speck and the Log Meaning

What does all of this mean that you are talking about today Preacher? Well this parable means you should not judge the flaw (sin) of another person while ignoring the obvious sin in your own life. Jesus warns against this hypocrisy by first examining ourselves and removing our own sin (log) before we can judge or correct the sin in others (speck).

Do Not Be Quick to Judge Others

Jesus warns us not to judge others, or we will be judged by the same measure. We should not be quick to assume that we know the motives or intentions of others, or that we are better than them when spotting sin in their lives. A major lesson of this parable is that we should remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace and should give that same grace to others.

Examine Yourself Before Criticizing Others

Jesus reminds us to examine the sin in our own lives before criticizing the sin in others. In some ways, you may be committing a similar sin that is not as obvious without self-reflection, or you may be sinning in more areas than your brother or sister in Christ. We should not be hypocritical or self-righteous, but rather humble and honest. Just as Jesus said in John 8:7, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Help Others with Their Faults In a Loving Way, but we have to do what?

Although we should not be quick to judge others, this parable does not mean we should ignore or tolerate sin in ourselves or others. We should not condemn or ridicule others for their flaws but rather help them with compassion and kindness so they can work toward confession and repentance (turn away from). We should also be open to receiving loving corrections from others who care for us.

Seek God’s Wisdom for Guidance

We should always seek God’s counsel on how to respond to the sin we see in the lives of other Christians. We should not solely rely on our own instincts or opinions on what to say to that person but rather seek God’s guidance and direction through prayer. Then, trust that He will give us the wisdom on how to respond in a way that is beneficial for them and us.

Be Humble and Merciful

Jesus makes it clear that the final judgement of sin is to be done by God the Father, and humans should concern themselves with making their own souls ready for acceptance into the Kingdom of Heaven by rooting out their own sins. Therefore, we should be humble and merciful to others during their journey through life as Christians because we all have struggles with sin that require the help of God.

Philippians 2:12–16

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Do all things without complaining and disputing,

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

True or False

The Bible teaches us right from wrong.

It's fine if I pick on others, because I'm perfect.

We should worry more about our behavior than others'.

Jesus always made the right decision.

I will always make the right decision.

Activity questions-Emmaus Style

Demonstrate the actions of the man who picks specks out of a friends eye while a stick is in his own.

Line up everyone in the room. Demonstrate that everyone is shorter than someone, and taller than someone else. Discuss the same concept to growing in Christ.

Emotional questions-open questions

How would you respond if someone shorter than you called you "Hypocritical"? (discuss)

How can I avoid judging or criticizing others?

Application questions-How can we apply this to our lives?

Whose behavior should concern us most?

How do I know whether I am pleasing to God?

Name something about your behavior you'd like to improve.

Fact questions

Did Jesus ever tell people they were committing sin?

Did Jesus list all the faults of everyone he met?

Review questions

Is it enough to know what's right? (or do we have to act upon that knowledge?

Name 2 other hypocritical actions.