Journal Entry ~ 01/06/20
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2
This verse reminds us of one of the most important truths in scripture - we need each other. God created us to live in community with one another because He knows our hearts' tendency toward deceitfulness. He knows that on our own, we will never see the evil that exists in our own hearts - we are blind to it.
We have no problem seeing the evil in other people's hearts, but we don't see the evil in our own. Even if we are someone who struggles with depression, or with self-esteem and we're always putting ourselves down, we still don't see the true evil behind it in our own hearts. God puts people in our lives to help us see our hearts as they truly are - that is why we are called to be a part of community.
We need people to hold us accountable, and we need people to confront us with the truth about what's in our hearts. Without that exhortation, we will not grow in the ways He calls is to grow.
The problem is that when we are confronted with the truth, by a leader or another small group member, or a family member, or a friend, our first tendency is to defend ourselves - "that's not me". Then we will often pull away, or we will begin to angrily gossip about that person.
It can be so hard to listen with a humble, softened heart. Remember, the enemy would love nothing more than to get you alone. Make it impossible for him. Find a community of Godly people you can meet with often, share your heart, and listen to the promptings of the Spirit through the people in that group.
Press on ~ you are loved 💗
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2
This verse reminds us of one of the most important truths in scripture - we need each other. God created us to live in community with one another because He knows our hearts' tendency toward deceitfulness. He knows that on our own, we will never see the evil that exists in our own hearts - we are blind to it.
We have no problem seeing the evil in other people's hearts, but we don't see the evil in our own. Even if we are someone who struggles with depression, or with self-esteem and we're always putting ourselves down, we still don't see the true evil behind it in our own hearts. God puts people in our lives to help us see our hearts as they truly are - that is why we are called to be a part of community.
We need people to hold us accountable, and we need people to confront us with the truth about what's in our hearts. Without that exhortation, we will not grow in the ways He calls is to grow.
The problem is that when we are confronted with the truth, by a leader or another small group member, or a family member, or a friend, our first tendency is to defend ourselves - "that's not me". Then we will often pull away, or we will begin to angrily gossip about that person.
It can be so hard to listen with a humble, softened heart. Remember, the enemy would love nothing more than to get you alone. Make it impossible for him. Find a community of Godly people you can meet with often, share your heart, and listen to the promptings of the Spirit through the people in that group.
Press on ~ you are loved 💗
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