Thursday, June 6, 2024
Have you ever told a little white lie to prevent yourself from looking bad? Whether it is with our family members, friends, or coworkers, we have all said or done something seemingly without consequences to remain in good social graces and please others. However, some of those white lies often come at a deep relational and spiritual cost.
It is difficult to accept responsibility when we slip up. We may even deal with it by shifting the blame, potentially damaging the relationships with those around us. Last weekend, we learned that in the book of 1 Samuel, King Saul was instructed by God to destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as punishment for opposing his own people (1 Samuel 15:1-3). God was very clear in his command to Saul, yet he and his army kept some of the livestock and other valuable belongings that were left behind.
Instead of owning up to his mistake and lowering his pride when questioned by Samuel, Saul goes so far as to blame his own army for the wrongdoing without accepting any of it himself.
1 Samuel 15:14-15:
14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. 15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”
Unfortunately, this cycle of blame still runs rampant in our world today. It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the pattern of people-pleasing and finding fault in everyone except ourselves. We as humans do not like the feeling of guilt. Admitting guilt is painful and can often be embarrassing—we naturally want others to like us, even though we cannot truly control it.
It is better to remember that we are to live for the Lord and carry out his will, even if it leaves us falling short in the eyes of others. If we are not careful, we can allow this guilt to start consuming us and eating away at our relationship with God. It is only when we begin accepting responsibility for our actions that we can work on our insecurities and prevent them from getting in the way of our relationships with others as well as with God.
Questions:
Why do you think that Saul allowed his army to spare the best of the Amalekites’ livestock?
How can we begin to face our own insecurities to avoid shifting the blame to others?
Next Steps:
This week, write down on a piece of paper an insecurity that you have been facing and offer it up to God in prayer, trusting that he is enough.
Join a Group this summer semester to come together with a community of like-minded Christ followers who will hold you accountable in your walk with Jesus.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thanks for your grace and forgiveness for each sin I commit. Please search my heart and rid it of any insecurity that is harming my relationship with you and with others. Give me the strength to own up to my faults and admit when I am wrong. Remind me that you are greater than any insecurities that I face. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 37:3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Today’s post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut devotional.