Theme: Repentace: Can We Say That?

Why is repentance hard?

Repentance can be hard, even for Christians who are committed to walking in the light. I sometimes rationalize my actions and therefore I don’t recognize my sins.  If I don’t recognize sin, I most certainly will not repent. I am not talking about sins that I would immediately recognize and feel guilt. Let me share a personal story with you, although the names in the story have been changed. 

The other day I was speaking with a friend, Beth, about our mutual friend, Amy.  Amy had taken a new job at the same place in which Beth works. In our conversation I asked, “How is Amy doing in her new job?” Beth didn’t answer that question and went on to talk about something else. I had a feeling Amy might not be meeting the job expectations. A few minutes later I reminded Beth that she never told me how Amy was doing.  Beth replied, “If you push me to say something, I will have to say something that is not good and I don’t want to do that.”  Wow, that set me back for a minute. What a rarity to find someone who truly will not slander another, even if what she says may be the truth.  A true Christ-like quality and one that I need to work on! Her light shined for Jesus in that moment when she stood up and would not speak an unkind word.  It was only one sentence, but it spoke to me and now I am sharing it, hoping it will touch you.  

God put me in that situation to convict me of my sin. If I had been Beth, I likely would have shared one or two of Amy’s shortcomings and rationalized it as true concern for Amy.   I would have been wrong.  In Titus 3:2, My God asks me to “slander no one”. That means NO ONE.

Never!  

Now it is my choice to repent and turn from slander of any kind.  Why is this so difficult?  It is HARD to break an old habit. For many years I have rationalized conversation in this way. It is especially difficult  when sharing stories with your friends not to participate when the conversation turns to slander.  But, there are no excuses. I repent.   “Repent and turn to God and prove your repentance by your deeds” (Acts 26:20).

Prayer: Holy Father, please examine my heart and convict me of my sin.  Place within me a desire to repent and turn away from those things that don’t reflect you. I want to be a bright and shining light of your goodness. Help me to have “backbone”; help me to be different; help me to be righteous.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Terry Smith

Stephenville, Texas