The Closer You Are

It’s a paradox of human relationships that, on the one hand, we yearn for closeness, for love, for intimacy … and yet the closer we are to someone, the more their weaknesses can drive us completely around the twist. Why is that?

Napoleon and Josephine loved one another deeply. But despite their love, his controlling nature and her inability to meet his expectations led to serious conflict and ultimately divorce. As is so often the case, their personal weaknesses destroyed what was once a deeply devoted marriage.

How often has that scenario played itself out in relationships down through the ages? And the reason is always the same. Jesus put it like this:

Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood that is in your own? Why do you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.

The closer you are to someone, the easier it is to see the speck in their eye. The more it annoys you. The more it offends you. And the more you’re convinced that the other person has to change.

You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you’ll see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.