James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Proverbs 28:13 “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
When I was growing up riding at a little hill in Minnesota, there was always this guy who would show up at every park contest and try the most ridiculous tricks. He is the guy who continually has to try something over the top, like a one footed boardslide over the rainbow rail. The problem was that he would rarely land the trick. Not so surprisingly, he was always recovering from some snowboarding injury. He desperately needed some basic advice: “Take it back to the basics, take an honest assessment of some smart tricks to learn, and then build on that.” However, he wasn’t willing to listen to advice from anyone else. He couldn’t see it for himself, and his snowboarding struggled as a result.
We are called to be the kind of people that are honest and open with ourselves and with others about our shortcomings and work on them.
We are called to be the kind of people that are vulnerable with ourselves and with others about our shortcomings to work on them. Whether it is an addiction to pornography, a propensity to gossip, or a heart-attitude of pride, we need to be willing to examine ourselves, take it back to the basics, and let Christ work in our hearts and in our lives. Our character, relationships, and relationship with God will surely benefit.
Challenge
Has there been anyone in your life that has been willing to able to gently point out some areas you need work?
What was that like?
What are some weak points in your life where you can direct attention?
By Randy Schroeder | Denver, Colorado