Grace and peace Hope Point family,
“Being known scares us.”
This past Sunday night at Broadcast, the students learned about the spiritual disciplines of confession and accountability. Collectively we were able to see how the “false self” seeks to piece together an identity from secondary things: looks, reputation, popularity, success, status, etc. Consequently an identity based upon these things is not rooted in the gospel but in idols. When we search our hearts through prayer and reading God’s Word, we are able to recognize the idols that consume our energy, time and hearts, and we can ask God for the grace to “let go” of our false self and the idols that offend a holy God. This is confession. Confession is only possible if we see our sin. We cannot confess that which we cannot see. We must ask God’s help in uncovering even the secret sins we tuck away in our souls. According to Tim Keller, “Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law—resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation.”–New City Catechism (Tim Keller)
Consider these words from Adele Calhoun on the importance of confession and accountability: “We not meant to live as self-reliant, independent operators. Yet many of us choose to live this way because we are afraid of vulnerability. Being known scares us. Admitting feelings shame us. Somewhere, life taught us that openness was dangerous, so self-protection becomes huge. Fences and defenses keep people at arms-length. Being competent and in control keeps weaknesses and struggles out of the reach of others. No wonder we feel alone when we struggle with loneliness, temptation, and pain. The walls around us are thick. Furthermore, the effort we pour into our “image maintenance” separates us from who we really are. Hiding the “real me” from others sadly hides the “real me” from me! Clearly we were not designed to journey alone. God created us for community and interdependence-with him and with others.
Accountability partners help us face into the truth of who we are in Christ. They help us face down the lies that shape us, and they orient us in the direction of God’s patient love. Together accountability partners walk into the temptations and difficulties of life. They share the last 10 percent of themselves with each other. They let their secrets out. And together they focus on living holy and responsible lives, fueled by desire for God.” (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook pg. 123)
Discussion Questions:
- Who do you feel comfortable talking with about your struggles and weaknesses?
- What are you doing to guard against sinful desires, thoughts, and motives?
- How does rooting ourselves in the gospel help us overcome “image maintenance?”