Learning On the Way
How do you handle conflict? Do you run away? Do you blame others? How does Luke 12 give us a new way to deal with conflict? Where can you improve in following these instructions?
As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: “I’m sorry if I hurt you.” “Let’s just forget the past.” “I suppose I could have done a better job.” “I guess it’s not all your fault.” These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A’s.
- Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
- Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
- Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
- Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
- Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
- Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
- Ask for forgiveness (See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.)
How does this kind of confession differ from how you have understood confession? Has your confession looked more like worldly sorrow than biblical confession and repentence(2 Corinthians 7:10)? Which of these A’s do you need to work on and add to your confession?
When confessing and repenting of sin, do you deal with surface behavior problems or are you doing the hard work of going down deeper into heart sins? What can you do to get deeper into those deep-seated sins in your life?