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Pockets of Spiritual Blindness
By daniel | September 21, 2005
I've been reading a pre-release copy of Humility: True Greatness by CJ Mahaney, in order to give a review of it when I'm done (which will be oh so soon).
I ran across a few quotes from Paul David Tripp's Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands that really stick to me.
The reality of spiritual blindness has important implications for the Christian community. I need you in order to really see and know myself. Otherwise, I will listen to my own arguments, believe my own lies, and buy into my own delusions. My self-perception is as accurate as a carnival mirror. If I am going to see myself clearly, I need you to hold the mirror of God?s Word in front of me. p54
For many people it is much easier to know what is wrong than how to change it. I may have confessed a selfish, idolatrous heart and seen its fruit in my relationship with my wife. But it will be harder for me to think clearly and creatively about how to repent and actually love her in specific ways. I may understand the major themes of Scripture, but I may not know how to use them in certain situations and relationships. We all need people to stand alongside us as we apply God?s word to our lives. p243
We even get offended when people act as if they see us better than we see ourselves.
I find, especially in myself, that we can't see the planks in our own eyes very well. When I'm having issues with some sin or pride or whatever, I am the last person to know. Really. And to top it all off, I tend to assume that I'm probably not having any sin or pride issues. Thus to be told by someone else that I am in error is absolutely shocking! How could they possibly know better than I? Ah, but sin is in such a way as to cripple the victim's even awareness of its presence, forcing our dependence on others. You and I need to never despise the caring critique of our brothers and sisters. Certainly the love of another that would be necessary to even bother risking my stupidity self-indignation is worth me accepting their input, no? Grace to us all as we explore this together. My full review on the Humility book is forthcoming.
Topics: Spirituality - Thoughts |
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