Honesty (1/12/04)

A couple weeks ago, I heard a sermon that really stuck in my mind. The pastor was talking about the "rotten old man" that lived deep down inside him. Since being saved 35 years ago, this pastor has made the mistake on numerous occasions of thinking that that "rotten old man" was dead. What he has come to realize is that the "rotten old man" is still there and he only needs a little prodding, a little back-sliding to come back to the surface. In fact, he characterized the "rotten old man" as meaner than ever from the years of neglect and years of the holy spirit keeping the "rotten old man" suppressed.

This brings us to this week's topic. The fasting and prayer topic for this week is "Honesty". Sure, we want to be people of integrity always speaking the truth (in love). But I think what the "rotten old man" reveals is that the person we lie to the most is ourselves. We tell ourselves we are no longer that way. We let down our guard to our sin nature. We start to develop pride in how "good" we've become since being saved. The enemy knows this and uses it to his advantage. As such, we need to honestly take a deep look inside ourselves. What weaknesses are in there that need to be avoided? What's in there that we should turn over to an accountability partner so they can help keep us from telling these little lies to ourselves? What is it that our pride keeps letting us avoid? Are we becoming prideful in things that only God should take the glory in?
Let's pray this Wednesday for honesty in ourselves and our Christian sisters and brothers. The honesty that's needed to truly come to the end of ourselves.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob