Read Luke 3:19-20
Repeat After Me: “I’m Not Perfect!”
John the Baptist spent a lot of time preaching about the coming of the Kingdom of God. He preached repentance of sins to people coming to him from all over the nation. But when he confronted Herod, the Tetrarch, one of the four governors in the Roman empire, Herod was not happy. John confronted Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, Herodias. He also confronted Herod for a bunch of evil that he had done. Herod responded by locking John up in prison. Herod didn’t like being confronted of sin and later we find out that his wife was even more enraged and wanted John dead.
Wow, where do I go with this? Can we be honest with ourselves? How well do we respond to those who confront us of sin or any kind of wrongdoing? Is our initial response, “Thank You! ” with an added hug? Or are we so offended we hit the person who dared to imply we aren’t perfect? Or do we go into a battle mode of anger or hyperactive conversation that ends with arguing and slashing back by pointing out the other person’s weaknesses?
Why are we so quick to defend ourselves? Why do we hate so much to admit we have flaws? If someone confronts me on a certain behavior, I’m quick to want to defend myself. If it’s not done constructively, then I’m even more offended. Over the years, I’ve learned to take what my wife says and ponder it and think it through and try to be honest with myself. That perhaps I don’t have it all together like I wish I did or thought I did.
If my wife takes a “Brilliant Idea” that I have for Ministry and she shoots it down with an opposing view or opposing question, then I’m quick to defend my “Brilliant Idea” only to later, think it through and sometimes actually see what she said as a good point, I mean a really good, positive and insightful viewpoint worth listening to.
Accepting constructive criticism (or even non-constructive criticism) can result in huge opportunities for spiritual growth. I mean HUGE, LIFE-CHANGING growth.
Constantly defending one’s imperfections might make you feel inside you ARE perfect but in reality, the world knows you’re not and your fight to convey perfection only becomes an unattractive display of arrogance. God help us all to humbly learn to give lovingly constructive criticism and humbly receive it. Use it to make us look more like Jesus.
Now, repeat after me, “I’m not perfect!” See? That wasn’t so hard after all, or was it? 🤔
