Recently I witnessed an exchange, where one woman accused another of something she hadn't done.
Even though the accused women had written proof of her innocence, the accuser wouldn't back down. She wasn't going to admit she'd been wrong.
Ever since Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent, fallen mankind has damaged relationships with stubborn self-justification.
It's our natural tendency to justify ourselves even if the evidence proves us wrong. But we Christians should be different. We should lead the way in admitting our mistakes and confessing our sins.
We have "written proof" of the importance God places on repentance:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10
Each day we should be asking God if we've been defending ourselves when we should have been confessing our sins. And next time we're confronted with a sin or even a mistake, let's stop, think, and honestly confess everything we've done wrong.
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These 1-minute devotions will also bless you and help you apply principles of repentance to your life:
How to Say "I'm Sorry"
What to Do When We Blow It
6 Characteristics of Sincere Repentance
Bible Love Notes
Yes, Gail ... we are way too quick to pass the blame onto someone else, not own our stuff, not confessing our sins and admitting our responsibility.
ReplyDeleteThis offering today is a golden reminder ...