Get ready. In the next few paragraphs, I’m going to shatter your perception of me as a godly woman. If you see me as the perfect church woman, as we say in the south, “I’m fittin’ to disappoint you.”
I try very hard to keep my speech above reproach. I am very careful about what I say, and I often come across as sweet, gentle, and godly. I so want my words to honor God. But in the last few months, I’ve walked through some emotional turmoil that has been, at times, more than my sweet little self could bear. So when the tears have flowed and I’ve been an emotional wreck, I’ve said some things that are not characteristic of me.
The #!*% has hit the fan.
I feel like #*&@.
They can all go to *#$!
If you have any potty mouth at all, you won’t have any problem figuring out those statements. That I have said.
Out.
Loud.
Some of you may talk like that all the time, and I’m not judging you here. I’m just saying that my self-control over my language has gone out the window lately. I’ve sinned and I’ve disappointed God. The passage about “taming the tongue” in James 3 convicts me, especially since I am a Bible teacher and I am judged by a stricter standard than others:
My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others. All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.
You may have sinned and disappointed God as well.
You may have looked at pornography.
You may have read a racy romance novel that God said not to read.
You may have watched a TV show that was utterly unholy
You may have cheated on your husband
You may have cheated on your taxes
You may have cussed out your friend
You may have gossiped about your neighbor
You may be drinking way to much
You may have been harsh and angry towards your children.
When I sin, I feel ashamed and I feel guilty. I feel like God wants nothing more to do with me. I don’t feel like I can approach God. My Bible reading dries up and I am not able to worship. Mostly, I try to hide from God.
In effect, my sin leads me to cut myself off from God. But your sin does not cause God to cut Himself off from you.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
God does not wink at sin, but God understands why we sin. God knows that we are weak humans living in a world full of temptation. God knew that we are sinful people, so that is why He sent His son Jesus to die and pay for our sins. Jesus died so that God could have relationship with us despite our sin.
What does it take to restore relationship with God after we sin? Just a simple I’m sorry. God, I’ve sinned, and I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
For me, it was a “God, I’m sorry that I blew it and said words that I know that I shouldn’t have. Will you forgive me?” Yep, He did. And God and I are friends again.
Today, if you are feeling guilty over your sin, tell God about it. He is not holding your sin over your head. He’s just waiting for you to turn away from your sin and turn back to Him. God longs to walk in friendship and relationship with you. His only Son died to prove it.
My friends, there is grace and mercy for our failings at the foot of the cross. Draw near to God, repent if you need to, and get right with God. I’m right there with you.
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