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I ask myself too often, “Why did I do that?” I also add variations to the theme with, “Why did I say that?” and “Why am I thinking this?”
The Apostle Paul asked the same questions about himself.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate (Romans 7:15, NLT).
Why do we think, act, and say things that we know are wrong? Paul describes himself and us too . . .
What a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? (Romans 7:24)
I find comfort in the Apostle Paul’s words in that he had problems, and I do too.
However, Paul’s difficulties or any other person’s sin is not a reason for me to continue sinning. Our sinful nature too quickly grabs hold of the actions and attitudes that we see in others to justify our actions and attitudes.
If I admit that I am a sinner and that you are too, then I can say, “God, this thought, action, or attitude isn’t of You.” Once we identify wrongs, we can take steps to overcome the evil in our lives.
Confession and repentance are solid Biblical disciplines, but the avoidance mechanism of our deceitful soul too often yields denial and blame. It seems easier when we stumble to deny what we did or say that it is another person’s fault.
But sooner or later, our sins catch up and take control.
Scott Peck wrote a book decades ago entitled The Road Less Traveled. In this book, he describes the insidious nature of our sin . . .
This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness.
Then Scott Peck says . . .
Since most of us have this tendency to a greater or lesser degree, most of us are mentally ill to a greater or lesser degree.
Speak about yourself, Scott Peck, because the readers of Interruptions have proven themselves totally and completely sane.
Well, with a few exceptions. And I am thinking of you right now.
But Scott Peck isn’t finished . . .
Some of us will go to quite extraordinary lengths to avoid our problems and the suffering they cause, proceeding far afield from all that is clearly good and sensible in order to try to find an easy way out, building the most elaborate fantasies in which to live, sometimes to the total exclusion of reality.
Okay, I can’t take the conviction any longer. I confess that I have a problem! We all should admit that we have problems. The Apostle Paul even admitted that he had problems.
Through confession of our sins, we find a solution. As the Apostle Paul says . . .
What a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:24-25).
How does Christ set us free? His blood totally forgives our past, present, and future bad actions and attitudes. Also, Jesus lives in us through His Spirit, giving us strength to be victorious.
I, too often, don’t feel victorious. Fortunately, it’s not my winning that counts – it’s the blood of Jesus that gives success.
Claiming the blood of Jesus will set us free.
[Note: Sharon Wildman has been my editor for all of my Interruptions, and it is her birthday today. Along with my wife, she is the only perfect person that I know. And since she edits this blog as an unpaid volunteer – she, along with my wife who posts this blog – will always be perfect to me!]