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? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
~ Matthew 7:3-5, ESV ~
Spiritual awakening gives us an opportunity to examine our own lives. It is an opportunity to get to know who we truly are. It provides the foundation for us to begin the necessary work to put to death the old man in order for the new man to grow and mature.
One of the natural tendencies we struggle with comes in the form of judging others. We dismiss our own behaviors, vulnerabilities, and motivations. Instead, we continue to focus on other people. The things they are doing wrong. The errors and mistakes they make. Our desire is to correct other people through examining their morality and decisions. It is welcoming distraction to become absorbed in other people’s behaviors and choices.
Spiritual growth requires us to detach from our desire to fix other people around us. Once we detach from this form of temptation, we can begin examining our own behaviors, choices, vulnerabilities, and morality.
Therefore, we must first turn our attention to those beams in our own eyes. Work to remove them in order for us to gain a greater sense of clarity. Only then, are we empowered to work with others in removing those specks from their vision.
Through our own self-examination, we begin to heal, to grow, and to experience life that is worthy before God. Today is the day to make a clear separation between what is on your path versus what path other’s are traversing.
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 