I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. Psalm 51:17
Living in this shadowland we are broken. We are surrounded by brokenness. Our iniquities stay deep within our souls, roots of human brokenness, pride, fear, and lust. These ‘roots’ of iniquity in our soul are always there and seek to be ‘fed’. It is only by the fruit of self-control from the Holy Spirit that we can now choose NOT to feed these iniquities lying within us. We are now at war with our inner iniquities and those roots driving those deep desires of … self. Until we shed this mortal earthly body we will struggle with those iniquities. Can we admit to ourselves and to God this battle raging within us? This IS the lesson and test. Can we choose moment by moment the path of laying down ourselves for the steps the Holy Spirit is urging us to take? Can we develop our character to surrender to the urging and direction of the Holy Spirit? Are we brave enough to ask the Holy Spirit what part of our brokenness we are feeding? Are we aware of the gaps in our armor? Are we conscious to the long tentacles of those deep roots trying to continually weave their way into our lives?
For so many denial… has become a way of life, refusing to see the truth about themselves. This is a dangerous pattern that can cause a deep downward spiral. These people continually deny the truth about themselves, causing their state to get worse by the day.
He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing. Proverbs 29:1
God KNOWS we are broken. Do we have enough courage to admit it to Him?
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
I am more and more aware of my weaknesses, my brokenness, my iniquities. I confess them before God. I am humble when I approach God in prayer fully aware of my selfishness, my brokenness and iniquities. My iniquities not only hinder myself but often cause hurt and pain to those closest to me, because of my own stubbornness and denial. I seek to be like David and pour out my heart before Him in honesty.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with Him is plentiful redemption. Psalm 130:1-7
How real can you be with God in confession? How honest are you with yourself? Can you look straight at your own brokenness, and know how much you need Him? Can you cast off the denial and be real before Him?
When you are willing to look at what the Holy Spirit is pointing out to you about yourself … then the healing and growth can begin.