Corona Devo 221

Have you ever had someone call you out on a sin or sinful behavior in your life?

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. ~Proverbs 27:17

It's awkward.  It's uncomfortable, and it's very hard, especially when you know they are right.  

Most times, I don't think we actually want to be in the sin, or falling prey to the sinful behavior, but regardless of the impetus, the sin is present.  

And what do we do when it is revealed to us?    

Surely we each have consciences, and if we know Jesus, then we are already aware that we are breaking one of God's rules (something inside has been at least whispering this to us).  But so often we believe we are sinning unbeknownst to anyone else.  And so when confronted, it is humbling.  Maybe angering.  Maybe relationship splitting.

Have you been in this situation?  First of all, it takes a friend with real guts to call-us-on-the-carpet about something that God says is not beneficial for us.  It is a hard thing to hear, but it is also a hard thing to say.  We should thank the Lord for friends like these, however.  God uses them to speak truth into our lives.  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. ~Proverbs 27:17.

I have had friends love me boldly enough to rebuke me.  It is an uncomfortable situation.  It's embarrassing to hear, and then (for me) there is can be an angry period.  But then if I soften my heart and open my mind--and I admit that the sin IS in my attitude or life, God convicts me through the voice of this other.  It's hard, but it is for our good.  

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  ~John 8:31-32

Leaving the sin and thoughts of it are difficult, and can be a process.  But even in the ridding-process, there is freedom in mind and body, and God assists us and equips us with His Spirit and His Word.  Watch for it when you are in this place, and He will be there too.   It's hard, but it is for our good.   No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. ~I Corinthians 10:13.   

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How about being on the other side of this difficult equation?  Have you ever felt led to call someone you love out on a sinful behavior or attitude in their life?  (I strongly believe this is only necessary when the Lord leads it.)

It's awkward.  It's uncomfortable, and it's very hard, especially when they know you are right. 

They certainly have a conscience, but when confronted, it is humbling.  Maybe angering.  Maybe relationship splitting.

This was the case for John the Baptist and Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee.  Herod Antipas had taken a liking to his brother's wife, Herodias, and so he abducted her from his brother, and then married her and made her queen.  This was unlawful and immoral, and John the Baptist was bold enough to tell him so.  Herod Antipas did not like being called out on this sin, but Herodias was livid about it.  She is known to be one of the most vile and vicious women in the Bible, and she did not like John the Baptist raining on her status and reign. I do not think that Herodias was thanking the Lord for a friend like John to put her on the right path.

On the contrary.  

Herodias did not change her mind.  Instead she set it on killing John the Baptist as a consequence for publically acknowledging her sin.  

But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.   ~Matthew 14:6-11

God opens our eyes through scripture to many things in our lives.  

I admire John the Baptist for his honesty and his commitment to God's Word and God's Law for our lives.  It cost him his life.  

I admire the couple people that have spoken with honesty and a commitment to God's Word and God's Law to me about sin in my life.  God uses people to sharpen us.

But as I digested the awful scene of Herodias and her refusal to admit sin in her life, I realized that we should be able to recognize our friends (who are sharpening us), and also those who do not want us raining on their status and reign.  They have no interest in altering their behavior to be more like Christ, and they can be harmful to us.  

The next time that someone "speaks the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) to us, even though it's awkward, it's uncomfortable, and it's very hard: I hope we can also trust that it is for our good.  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com