WHY DO YOU LOOK AT THE SPECK OF SAWDUST IN YOUR BROTHER’S EYE AND PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE PLANK IN YOUR OWN EYE?
(Matthew 7:3).

Be wary when jealousy bursts forth in your life, for jealousy is usually a sign that you have a plank in your eye.

HOW CAN YOU SAY TO YOUR BROTHER, ‘LET ME TAKE THE SPECK OUT OF YOUR EYE,’ WHEN ALL THE TIME THERE IS A PLANK IN YOUR OWN EYE?
(Matthew 7:4).

Understand that the plank of jealousy in your eye can come in many forms: feeling that you fall short compared to the other person, that you are not special compared to the other person, that you are bad and not worthy to be loved, that you are not wanted or needed, or that you are an outcast.  Recognize that when you are consumed with jealousy, it is not a good time to focus your gaze on the speck in your brother’s eye.  Looking through your eye’s plank at your brother, you will not have a clear view of the Truth.  His speck will not look like a smidgen anymore, but like an ugly blemish…a stain…a flaw.

YOU HYPOCRITE, FIRST TAKE THE PLANK OUT OF YOUR OWN EYE, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR BROTHER’S EYE
(Matthew 7:5).

Therefore, be on the alert during bouts of jealousy.  Know that during your jealousy, your perception of your brother will be indiscernible…obscured…dark.  Be determined to first clear up your own feelings and beliefs of shame, unworthiness, and rejection.  Then you will notice that the speck in your brother’s eye is just that—a speck.

Are you jealous of someone? Why? What is the father-of-lies telling you about yourself in regards to the other person: that you are lesser?

I encourage you to find the oppressing beliefs from the father-of-lies that are sustaining your jealousy, and expose them to God’s Light. Then, He will tell you the Truth about you…and your jealousy will disappear.

PRAYER: Lord God, let me realize that jealousy is a choice—my choice! Help me to see that jealousy is the sinful solution that the father-of-lies offers me, in order to deal with the pain of unworthiness in my own heart. Lord, bring me to the place where I would choose to bring this pain of unworthiness to You, together with the oppressing beliefs that are causing it.  Tell me the Truth about myself, so I may be set me free from jealousy.