Self-Awareness

Psalm 51:1-5

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. 5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

Psalm 51 was written by King David after he was confronted by the prophet, Nathan, regarding his sins with Bathsheba.  Psalm 51 shows a repentant David, begging God for forgiveness.

David seemed unaware of his sins until Nathan, sent by God, made him realize, through a parable, that his liaisons with Bathsheba, and the killing of her husband were sins, and an affront to God.

The first step in asking forgiveness from God is being aware of our sins to the point that our sins grieve us.  The Holy Spirit will lead us to this point of awareness, if we do not quench the Spirit’s voice.  

David quenched God’s spirit and refused to recognize his actions as wrong.  Self awareness is a vital quality given to us by God’s Holy Spirit.  

Our spiritual lives depend upon it.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)