Three Steps to Overcoming Blind Spots
In Matthew 7:3, Jesus asks, “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?” In context, this verse is part of Jesus’ teaching about judging others in a hypocritical manner. But verse 3 itself reveals another small truth that often goes unnoticed: when we have a log in our eye, it blinds us to a truth. It’s what we commonly call a blind spot, and we all have them.
Blind spots are not just areas of ignorance. Blind spots are flaws and shortcomings that amount to sin. If blind spots were merely areas of ignorance, then Jesus wouldn’t have used that term in reference to judgment in Matthew 7:1-2. Jesus’ teaching on judgment only makes sense if blind spots refer to actual sin.
“Blind spots are not just areas of ignorance. Blind spots are flaws and shortcomings that amount to sin.”
Another thing we have to understand about sin is that sin has a blinding effect. For this reason, Jesus is able to forgive His tormentors and ask His Father to forgive them, for “they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Romans 1:21 tells us that sin causes our thinking to become futile and our hearts to be darkened, and verse 28 adds that God gives people over to a debased mind as part of the consequences of their sin.
Since we all have sin in our lives, it is reasonable to say that we all suffer from the blinding effects of sin to some degree. And the more sin we have, the greater the blinding effect upon us. The problem with blind spots is that we don’t know we have them. After all, we don’t know what we don’t know. So how do we deal with blind spots that we suspect we have but cannot see? How do we act in obedience to Jesus’ command to remove the logs from our own eyes in Matthew 7:5?
“The problem with blind spots is that we don’t know we have them.”
Three Crucial Steps
There are three crucial steps that need to be taken in order for this spiritual eye surgery to be accomplished. First, we must pray for humility and a teachable heart. Pride is the main obstacle in the way of us seeing the truth about ourselves. Just as the scales of blindness had to fall out of Saul’s eyes before he could see again, so do the scales of pride need to be removed from our spiritual eyes before we can see what sins need to be dealt with in our own hearts.
One of the best examples of a prayer for humility and a teachable heart is found in Ps. 139:23-24,
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
The second step that needs to be taken is to receive feedback from others. We may not be able to see the log in our eyes, but others certainly can. We may not be aware of how our words, choices, mannerisms, or facial expressions hurt or offend others, but those who have been hurt or offended by us are very much aware of the problem.
“We may not be able to see the log in our eyes, but others certainly can.”
The key is to go to the right people for feedback. Don’t go to those who are immature and would only take the opportunity to hurt you back with their feedback and get revenge. Go to those who are mature, wise, and especially prayerful. When they give you feedback, be sure not to be defensive, but receive what they tell you and see if there is any truth in their words.
The third and last step is to pray for wisdom and strength to make the necessary changes. Jesus says in John 15:5 that He is the vine and that we are the branches, and that only by abiding in Him can we bear much fruit, for apart from Him we can do nothing. Galatians 5:22-23 also speak of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It’s called the fruit of the Spirit because only by the Spirit’s power can the fruit be produced. Good fruit cannot be produced by our own power, otherwise we wouldn’t need the grace of God.
Conclusion
It's a good practice to go through these three steps on a regular basis. In this way, we can be sure that we aren’t being led too far off the righteous path, living in deception, or hurting others while thinking we are living fruitful lives. There’s nothing worse than self-deception. When we have logs in our eyes, not only are we no good to ourselves, but we are in no position to help others either. So, in obedience to Christ’s teaching in Matt. 7:1-5, let’s examine ourselves and live with a keen sense of self-awareness.