Hidden Faults

Psalm 19:12b - 13a: (NIV) "Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me."

I need this passage. Forgive my hidden faults. Also keep me from willful sins.

We (I) get so caught up in what's going on around us that we rarely see out part in the goings-on. We rarely see how our reaction to it impacts the event. I rarely evaluate my participation to see what I could have done better, or even worse, what I did absolutely wrong. I rarely see my faults, as if they are hidden from me. I refuse to openly acknowledge them, pretending they don't exist. I even try to make them out to be less than what they really are i.e. everyone else does it, or I'm not like that other person.

There are some faults/sins that I am oblivious to. I need other Christians to point them out to me. I need to have my eyes opened so that I can change the behavior. Then I need to stop willfully doing the activity as well as any other willful sin that I do.

As I was thinking about a visual image for this post, a fault line popped into my mind, followed quickly by the images of a newly jostled fault line. I can't help but see the point of using the word fault in both places, once in Psalm talking about sins and the other, as a break in the continuity and structure of the earth. A fault line is the beginning of disruption. It can completely destroy, as is evidenced with all the recent earth quakes. Even a "small" shake up at a fault line can cause damage.

Thinking that way, I understand that my hidden faults must be exposed to me so I can actively work to get rid of them. I need my friends and family to help me with this, keeping in mind that one of those faults might cause me to be defensive. So help me and forgive me, please, friends. Help me overcome my hidden faults so that I am not ruled by them.

Jesus, I pray for my family and friends who will help me with overcoming the hidden faults and sins in me. I ask that you give them the courage to face me. Give me the grace to listen. For it is for You that I want to change. In Your name, Amen

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