The only reason why many people could only see the speck of other people's eyes instead of the plank in their eyes is pride. Some people truly despise others because of some weaknesses that they couldn't get rid of. They may not explicitly show that they look down on them, but they like dropping sarcastic hints here and there to let them down. Well, it could be a means to 'encourage' so and so to improve but time and time again, it is proven wrong and ineffective.
Some weaknesses that other people possess may not be the area that we are struggling in. Let me give you one example. A kid born in a family which is very open to pornography may have the struggle of overcoming the addiction of watching pornographic materials. If we were to tease him or her of this weakness, that person has a greater possibility of throwing in the towel in fighting with this temptation.
We all need encouragement. Jesus has never said things like, "Hey, dude, didn't I tell you not do that? See what happened to you now? Nah, in your face!" or "Oh man...I'm losing my patience on you already. Why can't you do it better next time? I'm tired of seeing you repeat the same mistake." How would you feel if God really does saying stuff like that. That will only etch a loser mark in us. Instead of condemning us, God offers us grace.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on this knees before him. 'Be patient with me' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
But when that servant went out, he found one of this fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. he grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell on his knees and begged him.'Be patient with me,, and I will pay you back. But he refuse. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant.' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as i had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed." Matthew 18: 23-35
If we truly experience God's grace, we will offer the same grace to others. Whenever we know that someone has weakness in certain area, the right thing to do is to encourage that person by words of exhortation. If we only plan to criticise someone without having the intention of helping that person, we are just hypocritical. Do not just use the word to reprimand but not building a person up for the bible says, " Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 2:4
Self-reflection: Have you offered enough grace to others?
