| Matthew 7:5 – “‘Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye; and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” |
Have you ever found yourself in this situation? Someone comes to you seeking advice.
And you offer them a valuable piece of wisdom.
But let me ask you this—do you truly practice what you preach?
When you hear the name “Solomon,” what comes to mind? Proverbs, perhaps? But above all, it’s his remarkable “wisdom” that resonates.
When he ascended to the throne, God granted him any desire. He pondered deeply over what to ask for, ultimately choosing something most people assume they already possess—wisdom.
And God blessed him abundantly with it.
His wisdom was so extraordinary that his reputation spread far and wide. The Queen of Sheba traveled hundreds of miles just to witness and test his wisdom.
It can all be summed up in one verse: “From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.” (1 Kings 4:34)
Now, take a step back and ask yourself, “Was he truly that wise?”
He somehow overlooked the power of relationships and influence. He married a thousand foreign women who led him astray from God. His desires controlled his life.
His love for money and wealth was so consuming that he indulged himself, burdening his nation with excessive taxes, leading them into both slavery and starvation.
He failed to guide his son, who grew up to be an incompetent and self-centered tyrant.
In the end, the kingdom he inherited crumbled within a single generation.
This phenomenon has an apt name—it’s called the Solomon Paradox. It refers to the apparent inability to align one’s actions with what they know to be true.
We advise others to “control themselves,” yet we often succumb to frequent outbursts of anger.
We teach our children to “spend money wisely,” while we ourselves impulsively click the “one-click” button on Amazon.
It’s a warning we must all take to heart. It’s not about how much knowledge you possess, but rather what you do with that knowledge.
Jesus spoke of those who are quick to condemn others.
“Why do you focus on the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and ignore the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ when you have a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite! First, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3–5)
While this passage holds various meanings, here’s a simple one—practice what you preach. If you tell others what to do, then do it yourself. If not, take the time to mend your own life before speaking again.
Perhaps, if we do that, we can be wiser than Solomon.
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
