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Why do you think that our Heavenly
Father would tell us to confess our faults to each other? We
Christians can be a people who are very critical of each other.
But still, we are told to tell each other of the things that are
“wrong” with us. Why do you suppose that is? Could it be that
our Father uses this confession of faults to keep us humble? I
guess it could be. But I think that the real reason He would ask
us to reveal our imperfections to each other is so that we can be
an encouragement to one another.
How, you may ask, would it
encourage you to know about my faults? Imagine that you are
struggling with something and having a real battle. Maybe it’s
something that you think any “real” Christian shouldn’t be
having trouble with. Maybe it’s your mouth. Maybe you have a
hard time keeping your opinions to yourself and an even harder
time keeping your neighbors’ opinions confidential. Scripture
very clearly teaches that we aren’t supposed to gossip and you
are ashamed that you are struggling with a temptation such as
this. Of course, Satan is right there in your ear telling you that
“real Christians” never struggle with gossip. He’s trying
his best to convince you that you aren’t as good as the people
you go to church with. And he’s telling you that maybe you
really aren’t a Christian after all. As you look at the smiling
people in the pews all around you, you are sure that none of them
have problems like this. They never seem to struggle with
anything, especially a shameful habit like gossip! As long as you
believe that you are the only one with this particular trouble, it
is fairly easy for Satan to convince you that you don’t quite
measure up. He tells you that you aren’t a Christian at all, you
are an imposter! He says that it’s just a matter of time before
those perfect, smiling, “real” Christians find out that you
aren’t what they think you are. He tells you lie after lie until
you are sitting at home filled with doubt and shame and you are
too discouraged to go back to church.
It would be nearly impossible
for Satan to convince you with his lies if you knew that other
Christians struggle with the very same things as you do. How do I
know, you may ask? I know because I have been there. I have
listened to those same lies from the lips of the deceiver. And I
would have believed him if I didn’t have a friend, a “real
Christian” friend who confessed her faults to me and let me know
that “real Christians” are not perfect. They do struggle with
temptation! I was not alone!
You are not alone!
Do you sometimes do things you
know you shouldn't? So do I. Do you sometimes have trouble
controlling your tongue? So do I. Do you sometimes have thoughts
that you shouldn’t? So do I. Are you always the Christian that
you know you need to be? Neither am I. Not one of us is perfect.
We all deal with temptation. There has only been one perfect man
to walk the earth and even He was tempted. The Bible says that
Jesus was tempted in every way. He knows what we are going
through. He knows the thoughts we’ve had and the words we’ve
said. He knows about all the times we have failed. Yet, He offers
grace! He allows us to come boldly to His throne that we may
obtain mercy and help when we struggle with our temptations! What
a Savior!!! Is there something you are having trouble with? Don’t
let Satan use your faults against you. Go to a brother or sister
and tell them about it! Chances are, they’ve had the same
problem you are having. Take it to the throne of grace together!
Jesus is waiting there with mercy and help in your time of need!
“For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet]
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
In Christ,
Shirley Stanton |
