To See Such A Prisoner All You Have To Do Is Look In The Mirror

                                                 When The Door Slams

The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life. Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud. The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trust in the LORD will be happy (Proverbs 16:17-20 HCSB). 

            A prison of pride is filled with self-made men and women determined to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps even if they land on their rear ends. It doesn't matter what they did or to whom they did it with or where they will end up; it only matters that "I did it my way." 

            You have seen these prisoners, You have seen the disobedient children who are deceiving themselves. You have seen the alcoholic who won't admit his drinking and drug problem. You have seen the woman who refuses to talk to anyone about her fears and weak decision making. You have seen the businessman who adamantly rejects help even when his dreams are falling apart. To see such a prisoner all you have to do is look in the mirror.

            "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just..." The biggest word in Scripture might be two-letter one, if. For confessing sins--admitting failure--is exactly what prisoners of pride refuse to do. These are the tools of the jailbird. Comparison. Justification. Rationalization. They sound good. They sound familiar. But in the kingdom of God they are deception.

            Think about this: These sorts of hurts--pains of the heart and mind and spirit--create an emptiness, and seem to put us in a spiritual vacuum. We can describe physical pain to a doctor or nurse, but inside pain can only be known--really known--by God.

            I think God permits this kind of inner anguish for a good reason. Physical hurt is almost outside of us, something we can drive it from our thoughts. But inside pain is within our thoughts, and forces us to cope with the problem. God may allow it because He knows this kind of suffering can be more purifying than any other kind of pain. We are forced to face it and deal with the situation at hand.

            "Blessed are those who mourn..." To mourn for your sins is a natural outflow of poverty of spirit...But that's not always the case. Many deny their weakness. Many know they are wrong, yet pretend they are right. As a result, they never taste the faultless sorrow of repentance. 

            The Beatitudes: "The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted. The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled. The merciful are blessed, for they will be shown mercy. The pure in heart are blessed, for they will see God. The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God. Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs (Matthew 5:3-10 HCSB).  

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.                        

                                                       Never Rest Ministries