Don't Open the Door Until You Are Ready!

"Sin crouches at our doors, looking for fault lines, searching for a point of entry into our hearts and souls. Which is why it's so important to allow God to expose and confront the cracks in our characters."
~ Joanna Weaver
from "Having a Mary Spirit"

 

But it is so difficult to admit that this is true! None of us wants to confront the fact that we struggle with sin. It almost seems that the very reality of our "humanness" is something to hide. And so we hide our failures and mistakes, and pretend that we are "right" even when we know deep in our hearts that this is not so. And in our efforts to appear "right" we hold tightly to the pretense so that no one will know about our "less-than-perfectness." That is so opposite of the truth of the Gospel!

 

There IS sin in the world, and it IS all around us, and yes it DOES influence us every day. That's why we need a Savior. When we deny our own sinfulness, and pretend that we've got it all figured out, we then become imprisoned by our own masquerade. Not only do we not want those around us to know that we have failed, we seem to think that if we just keep up the facade, that somehow even God will believe our little charade. Of course, we know better in our head, but it just feels too scarey to admit the truth. We all have sinned and gone astray . . . . there is none righteous, no, not one. Not you. Not me. No one.

 

All of the pretending, and refusing to "allow God to expose and confront the cracks in our characters" causes a variety of destructive behaviors. For one thing, when we insist on being "right," we can never admit we have been "wrong," and how many relationships have been broken because of a refusal to admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness? Another thing that happens in our quest to maintain this image is that we become isolated. How can we ever get close to anyone, because we are terrified that if they knew the truth about us, they probably wouldn't love us anymore? And of course, that is probably a correct assessment, especially if we are afraid of losing a "friend" who struggles with the same fear of admitting failure.

 

Finally, when we hold too tightly to our pretend image of perfection, sooner or later we will come to a river that is too deep, or a mountain that is too high, or a broken and shattered dream that simply cannot be held together by our determination to look good. No, it is only when we finally admit that we are susceptible to sin, that we have stumbled and fallen in the midst of all our attempts to get it right, that we will finally be free of the burden of our own small thinking. God's grace is not about ME being right, but it is about the truth, the reality that HE is true, faithful, all-knowing, all-loving, and always present. My life ultimately has nothing at all to do with MY righteousness (because I have none!), but it is completely about HIS mercy and forgiveness, which makes me righteous in His eyes.

 

I must always be willing to look at myself and my life through the prism of His truth . . . . and it is only when I am able to be honest with myself, and allow the searchlight of His love to look into my heart and reveal my true self, that I will be able to access the power and strength of His Being to stand against sin. Pretending an enemy is not at the door, and hiding my head under the covers, will not protect me from the danger that awaits me. I must rise up in His strength, and boldly face myself, and then I will have all that I need to stand against sin.

 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24  NIV

 

Please join the other IOW participants this week by visiting this week's hostess Deborah  at her blog where you will find links to the other posts on this quote. Then, if you post on your blog, please leave us a link so we can join you and read your thoughts. Have a blessed Tuesday!  ~~ Nina

Comments

[Chocolate and Coffee]

Great post Nina! Thanks for participating today! Blessings!

[Missie @ Thirsty]

"That's why we need a Savior"

So true! Thanks for your post today!

[Tami Boesiger]

"No, it is only when we finally admit that we are susceptible to sin, that we have stumbled and fallen in the midst of all our attempts to get it right, that we will finally be free of the burden of our own small thinking."

I love the way you said this. We need to be released from the burden of our own small thinking. Amen!

[Miriam Pauline]

Imprisoned by our masquerade...this post really makes me think about how I restrict myself with the attempts to look like I have it all together all the time. Great post.

[Karen]

It's certainly something we like to deny, the fact that sin is out there and we can fall prey to it just as easy as the next person.