Luk 6:41-42 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? (42) How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see 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 out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
RASNs (Revilers, Abusers, Sociopaths, Narcissists) have a log in their eye. It remains there by choice. The log represents their willful blindness to their own sin. Jesus calls them hypocrites because they go about knit-picking the flaws of others (specks) while they themselves have this huge obstacle blinding them to their own evils.
We have all known these kind. There have been occasions no doubt when we ourselves have been guilty of this willful blindness to our own sin while focusing on the bit of sawdust in someone else. But a real Christian will be convicted by the Spirit of the Lord in them – He shows us our own sin and we are brought to repentance. Not only for the sin itself, but for the additional sin of being speck-searchers in others.
We should also note that self-examination as the Spirit leads us is not a process by which we find sin in ourselves which is not sin. That is to say, the Lord does not falsely convict or accuse us of things we are not guilty of. RASNs do that, but not the Lord. Self-examination is healthy only if it finds genuine wood that needs to be removed by repentance.
Now, back to this log. RASNs as you know, (and this is Jesus’ point) are willfully blind to the log in their own eye. The Lord’s point is that a person whose own life is a mass of sin is disqualified from sitting in judgment upon others. But there is more. Jesus’ illustration here also demonstrates that the log-in-the-eye person is actually energized by his own sin to go about speck-hunting. It’s part of the dynamic of hypocrisy. Hypocrites live in a double-standard world where loads of sin are permissible for them, while their targets are mercilessly accused.
RASNs are never guilty. Just ask them. They are never to blame. It’s always that speck in you and you must never, ever point to their log. Just pretend it isn’t there – like they do.
Kyndra
You are always spot on, in all your posts. Thank you!
~ Bella ~
Hi Pastor Crippen, I read a couple of your books 4 years ago and have been following you since. My healing journey from a childhood of narcissistic abuse began over 6 years ago.
I do have a question for you: is this scripture always referring to sin? During my healing, I started looking at this scripture differently. I felt that by learning the things I was learning, Truth really, I was removing the logs from my own eyes. I had been raised by my abusers and the church to put the blame on myself which also translated to other victims. When the logs were removed, I was able to put the blame back where it belonged.
It’s also interesting that this scripture is used against the victims/survivors to try to make them guilty. If you ever try to point out just one of their sins towards you, you are accused of so much worse, of having a giant log in your eye, while trying to remove their “innocent” little speck. It truly is a double standard.
This post, as many of your others, came at just the right time for me. I needed this reminder and encouragement. Thank you so much for the work you do. I am one who has grown from it as well as others I’ve introduced you to.
Jeff Crippen
Bella- thankyou VERY much for your encouraging words. I am so glad I have been a source of help to you. It is of course the Lord’s doing and we give Him all the glory.
Yes, actually I have been thinking about the secondary applications of this scripture much like you state them here. Until we see evil clearly then a kind of log blinds us to the motives and nature of RASNs (revilers, abusers, sociopaths, narcissists). As a result they pin the blame and guilt on us.
This is a continuing battle. Some days that log tries to sneak its way back and blind us. We did this or that wrong, maybe I could reason with the RASN, maybe….
But it will never work. They don’t repent.
Thank you again very much.
Lynn
Pastor Crippen,
When you write RASNs, my brain reads raisins. Which is fitting I suppose. They are dry and withered, lacking any real substance.