Devotion
The Blind Leading the Blind
Frances Taylor
If there's one thing I learned as a parent, I get more frustrated when my children exhibit "qualities" that I dislike in myself and then see in them. It can be hard to look honestly at our faults and yet there are times when we are more than happy to find fault with others. Sometimes the problem can be an unwillingness to admit ignorance and so we refuse to listen to the ideas of another because it might mean that we are wrong.
We all know the saying, the blind leading the blind, but do we ever apply it to ourselves? In the days before GPS, we had to rely on a map, our memory or the directions of a friend to get us from place to place. If I get lost, do I stubbornly resist asking for help? Trust me, I have experience in this! Do we hold others to a standard that is higher than we hold ourselves? Am I someone who calls a person dishonest because he or she is spreading rumors that are false, but see no problem with taking home office supplies from work? Am I a "do what I say not what I do" parent? Do I punish my children for using the foul language they learned from me? Do I excuse myself for the same things I find fault with in others? Being blind to our faults can cause problems with our relationships. No one is perfect and Jesus knew that.
Today we are given a reminder that we need a self-check, and if you're brave enough, ask a friend to give you that check-up. Then we can work on removing the beam in our eye.
Prayer
Compassionate and forgiving Lord, help me to see myself clearly and work on becoming a better person, refraining from judging others and worrying only about my own faults and failings. Amen
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
