When your friend has a problem

When your friend has a problem

A true friend is the one who will take you aside and tell you that you have mustard on your chin.

When it’s more than mustard

We’ve all been there. It’s your friend (or worse your roommate) who has a big problem that everyone notices. It’s a personal problem, a spiritual problem, a relationship problem—something that’s staring them in the face and they need someone to help them. Your friend might know their problem, but it’s more likely that they don’t. So what do you do?

Looking in the mirror

Disciples of Jesus are called to help other people identify and deal with the sin in their lives. Most of us are pretty good at seeing the weaknesses of our friends—especially when their faults affect us. But before we can help someone change, we need to do what Jesus calls us to do: make sure our own relationship with God is clear. In Luke 6 when Jesus is teaching his disciples, he asks them this:

Luke 6:41 (NAS) “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Before pointing the finger at someone else, look in the mirror. When you focus on taking the obstruction (your sin) out of your own eye (your life), you’ll be able to see better to help those who need it most.