Do you recognize your sinful nature?

dailylivingministries

February 2

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
(Luke 18:13 (NIV))

Have you ever done something that you thought was so bad and so wrong?

How did you act around other people whom you thought knew what you had done?

There are basically two ways that most people react. You can realize your mistake, or you can be arrogant and full of pride.

There is an old saying that admission is the first step to healing. This is so true, and it is even true when we look at our sinful, fallen nature in relationship to the Lord. That is exactly what happened with the tax collector. He realized his sin and his need for mercy. Unfortunately, too many people are self-righteous and fail to recognize their own sinful nature.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
(Luke 18:11-12 (NIV))

Too many people look at the sins of others and completely ignore their own. I think you know what Jesus had to say about this.

How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
(Matthew 7:4-5 (NIV))

I often wonder if this attitude is the ever-present result of the enemy's pride that resulted in our fall from grace. Human nature, ever since the fall, has always found fault with others while maintaining a false innocence. If you don't believe me, take a look at what Adam said to God.

The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
(Genesis 3:12 (NIV))

None of us are perfect. None of us are righteous. None of us are any better than our fellow man, yet, we all have a tendency to elevate ourselves. We all desire to appear better than we truly are. Recognizing one simple fact is critical.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(Romans 3:23 (NIV))

The last time that I look, every single person who has ever lived or will ever live is part of the all. We are all sinful by nature.

Do you recognize your sinful nature?

Copyright 1998 - 2024 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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