How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Psalm 19:12 (NLT)
I love the sport of volleyball. Bump. Set. Spike. That’s what it’s all about! In my youth, I was actually pretty good at it. In my older years, I can still play, but I’ve had to get a little bit craftier in my approach since my athleticism is fading.
A few years back, I challenged our school’s girls volleyball team to play their starting six just against me. (One vs. six) It was an attempt to help them learn to never underestimate their opponent. At the beginning, I let them score points pretty easily. They started getting cocky. The even taunted me. About half way through the match, I started playing. They lost.
So, how did I beat them? It wasn’t that I played particularly well. I don’t think I even got to spike. I examined their team, spotted their weaknesses and then exploited them for my gain. Though they couldn’t see their weak spots, to a guy who has played the game for longer than any of those girls have been alive, it wasn’t hard to see. Successful players aren’t just good athletes. They study their opponents and figure out how to beat them.
Satan is not just a successful, but elite opponent. He has been around longer than any of us, and can spot every one of our weak spots. He knows how to get at us. He knows how to get us to sin in ways that we never thought possible. He knows how to beat us.
That’s why we need God on our side when it comes to defeating our sins. We may think we’ve got it all under control. We’re wrong. Our sinful nature – a craving for sin that we are all born with – cannot be tamed by more effort. Only the master, God Himself, can spot and help eliminate the weak spots in our life.
That’s why King David penned this amazing verse, “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.” Even David realized that only God can help turn weak spots into strong points.
So, today, and every day, don’t try to fight your sins alone. You will lose. Your opponent is way more intelligent and craftier than you. Call on God to cleanse you. Let Him set you free from the bondage of sin that holds you back.
ChadReisig.org 