He said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (NIV, Matthew 7:1, 3)

Jesus did not expect his followers to rely solely on their own skills to accomplish these radical lifestyle changes. He encouraged followers to seek God’s help through prayer: “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And the door is open to everyone who knocks.” (NLT, Matthew 7:7–8)