Self protection

There is an instinctive tendency we have to protect ourselves from mental pain. Many people tell lies when they are confronted with some fault, and others use techniques like changing the subject, turning the tables on those who confront them and making it out as if it is the fault of the latter, and various other ways. Many Christians come up with 'Judge not' as an all-time protection from getting blamed, and many leaders use 'Touch not the Lord's anointed'. What people do not realise is that in these ways they themselves may be blocking the way for their greater salvation.

The term 'accusers of the brethren' is thrown around frequently to discourage people from questioning anyone. Whistleblowers in churches and organisations get this treatment so that others dare not come forward with evidence. But none of us is perfect, and if we have been born again through the grace of God, we should be interested in overcoming our faults and living more and more like Jesus. "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1Jn.2:6). Sometimes we become aware of our faults or where we are lacking something, as we read the Bible or listen to a sermon. Then the goal is that we must examine ourselves, and decide to seek God's help and put a stop to our wrong behaviour or thinking. But many times we are tempted to be happy to receive the extra knowledge, and then we promptly forget about it.

Another time we may feel the conviction from the Holy Spirit just after we have done something wrong. Here is a chance not only to receive forgiveness but also to determine to change for the future. We may need to learn how to do it right next time, pray for God's grace to change, and sometimes seek the counsel of more experienced people. But many people stop with forgiveness.

The more challenging situation is when someone comes and shares with us something we ought to change. Even if this is done totally from love for us and pure motives, we must remember that we have a natural tendency to want to avoid hearing about our faults. So we must learn to watch out for such self-protective measures, but to examine ourselves honestly before God and humbly acknowledge our sin or mistake. "Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless'" (Ge.17:1). Remember, it is not people to whom we finally have to give an account, but God (Ro.14:12). People may sometimes be wrong, some people may accuse us falsely, and sometimes it may even be our enemies who are accusing us. But our goal must be to be blameless before God, and our being right or wrong is finally for Him to decide. If the charges against us are false, we can ignore them and forgive those who brought them. But isn't it important to go through this exercise of standing before God openly, without self-justification or manipulating the situation, and listening to His verdict?