Spiritual growth often begins when we stop looking outward and allow God to examine what is happening within us. It can be easy to recognize the faults, habits, and struggles of others while overlooking the areas where God is inviting us to grow. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 reminds us that true transformation starts with humility, self-reflection, and a willingness to let God reveal our own blind spots.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Consider these questions as you reflect on your own spiritual growth:
- What patterns continue to appear in your relationships, work, or daily life that God may want to transform within you?
- Do you extend the same grace and understanding to others that you hope to receive?
- Is there someone you need to forgive, or is there bitterness you need to surrender to God?
Spiritual maturity begins when we allow God to reveal the truth about our hearts—not to condemn us, but to lead us toward freedom, healing, and deeper dependence on Him.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
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Full Transcript Below:
3 Questions That Cause Spiritual Growth
By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“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
I clenched my hands. Clear as day, the issue was him. He was being stubborn. He wasn’t listening. He wasn’t being open to a different perspective.
But was I…?
Being open…?
Listening...?
Hearing what He was saying…?
Not really…
Jesus addressed this sort of situation when he said, “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.” (Mt. 7:3-5 ESV)
My husband and I have a phrase for this sort of finger-pointing. It’s called “You spot it, you got it.”
Meaning, if I spot my husband being stubborn, I’v