How We Own Our Faults!

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Psalm 19:12 NIV

One of the most difficult things most human beings have to do is to recognize their own shortcomings and faults. Why? We don’t like to see ourselves as we really are. Some might say, our refusal to see us as others see us, makes us delusional. In many cases, that is probably very true.

However, we don’t have to navigate our journey in life wearing blinders. When we are able to look at ourselves and admit our imperfections and faults, we put ourselves in position to be molded into the person God always intended us to be. Building character takes time and since our time on earth is limited, we shouldn’t waste it trying to be more than we are or were intended to be.

Let’s face it–many of us don’t recognize the ugliness that resides in us because we are too short-sighted to see it. What ugliness? The need in us to belittle others or to make fun of them. The urge we have to always say something about others that is not entirely true. The things we think we hide in our hearts–bigotry, rebellion, low self-esteem and our insecurities. We think we hide these things but because they reside in our hearts, they rise and surface for all to see, except us.

Think about it! That spirit that complains all the time in our heads about everything–surfaces and those around us hear the complaints when they are voiced. The nastiness that resides in our hearts rises when our tongues speak evil and we cuss everything and everyone who dares to disagree with us.

If we were ever able to force ourselves to see us as we really are and then work to change for the better, we defeat the enemy who attempts to influence us on every level. When we admit our shortcomings, the enemy has nothing to use against us. Willingness to see ourselves as we are is the first step to building character–changing us to be more like Christ. We don’t have to be dishonest, liars, thieves, complainers, or any other worthless thing–and when we build character, we become more valuable and are able to accomplish great things.

Let’s openly recognize and proclaim all those things that we think are hidden, but nothing is ever hidden from God. Then we can start building, one step at a time, the character that resides in the inner person, but has been hidden by our imperfections and our inability to recognize us when we see us.

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Stumbling and Fault-finding!

“We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry” (2 Corinthians 6:3 NLT).

When we–as promoters of the Gospel–look at what is happening in our society, nationally and internationally, wondering what in the world is going on, do we consider how others view how we live?

Are saying one thing and yet doing another?

Do we show love to everyone we meet or are we selective about how we respond to others?

Do we posture in public and party in private?

What skeletons are hiding in our closets, while we attempt to act as though we have never done anything wrong?

Are we up testifying in churches about God’s goodness or testilying and everyone around us–knows it?

Do we live the life we proclaim God wants us to live or we just sounding brass–making noise–but no harmony exists?

When we stand before God–at the end and now–will we hear how many people we have caused to stumble in their faith when they found fault with our own?

Some people believe that how they live is their business and no one else should matter, but the truth of the matter is–that’s a lie–especially if our lives as promoters of the Gospel are not circumspect.

The way we live–as children of the most High God–should be able to survive microscopic inspection by all at any time. This is why it is important for us to live what we say. We must be “doers of The Word” and not just hearers or preachers only.

The worst kind of person–who proclaims to love God–is the one who preaches one thing on Sunday and yet lives like the devil’s own the rest of the week–and everyone knows it. And because they see this person–not living The Word–they feel no obligation to change anything they do and most refrain from hearing any good thing about the Gospel because of those who preach it, but live contrary to it. These are the stumblingblocks to another’s faith and give them reason to find fault with the Gospel and the ministry of it.

Does this sound like you? I pray not!

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to do all that we encourage others to do–according to Your Word–that none of us will become a stumblingblock for others or give them reason to find fault with our promotion of the Gospel.