Helping or Trying to Fix?

“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?  4 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?  5 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.” Matt 7:3-5

As Christians, we care about people. We see our friends having problems and we want to help them out. Often, our desire to help becomes a need to fix. It is not our job to fix anyone. We think that if we see a problem, then we need to point out to our friend what the problem is and how that can be solved. The thing is, people don’t respond well to that, they usually become defensive, angry, or depressed. What we need to do is create an environment in which people feel safe, a place where people feel loved and accepted, where they can face their problems. When we express God’s love to other people, we help them have the courage and strength to go to God and allow Him to reveal their problems and issues, and show them how to deal with them. Only God can truly help anyone solve their problems, get over their issues, and repent of sin.

2 Cor 3:18 says that as we look at Jesus, we become more and more like Him. The fact is, people become like whatever they focus on. People who focus on their faults don’t overcome those faults. If I spent my time with people pointing out their faults, I would be hindering any progress they might make. Instead, if I point them to Jesus, and help them keep their eyes on Him, I am truly helping them.

Jesus calls us to follow Him, which means looking at Him, listening to Him, focusing on Him. Jesus is the center of our lives. As we focus our attention on Jesus and experience His love and acceptance, we will become confident people without the need to find and fix another person’s faults. Then, the love and acceptance that flows from our lives will be the catalyst for other people to look to Jesus for themselves and become more like Him.