We don’t always come closer to wisdom because of our integrity. The best understanding is often rooted in the pains of our former mistakes.
One reason making amends is so important is that it helps us break through the denial which may still be keeping us in the dark. When we confess to GOD Almighty, we may not fully face the weight of sin in our heart. When we confess to ourselves, we may still be hiding many things that we don’t really have to confront because we are just repeating to ourselves what we already know and there is no risk. But when we confess to other human beings, our own blindness makes what we say the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth.
For example, I used to make it a point to state that I was only guilty of luring in, and seducing, teenage boys because the admission of just being a pedophile was too much for me, seemed to be something I didn’t want to face because I couldn’t be that monster, or could I!??!
Although I was never drawn to little children I did lure in, seduce & recruit some teenagers & even some preteens, so the very first battle for me was to admit that I had become a child molester, and that it could have gotten even darker and things could have gotten much worse, in order for me to face what was living inside of me & to be forgiven. And HE forgave me! Hallelujah!
There is a twisted understanding within victims of sexual molestation or sexual abuse that there is nothing wrong with engaging in those acts, and so the circle of victimization continues. Until it is broken! Now this is not true for all victims, but it is for many.
I am not “in recovery” for my past addictions, strongholds or vices because I am Recovered! Washed Clean! Justified! Sanctified! And set forth on solid ground for a purpose & time such as this. Once you surrender to YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST, then you are recovered!
In making amends we come face to face with the one/s we have wronged. They know the truth of what happened. They may see all too clearly that to which we are blind. Now we can get a glimpse of ourselves and the pain we have caused through the eyes of the ones that we have hurt. Their anger, pain or grief can be used to tear down the veil behind which we have hidden from ourselves and help us see who we really were/are.
It was all of HIM in me, with me & through me when I met with one of the young men that I had not only seduced but infected with HIV/AIDS. I seduced him into sexual darkness when he was just 14 and it went on until he was 18, which is the year before I was Saved (from my death-bed at age 37) and was lead, by The HOLY SPIRIT, into The Light of Truth and set on the path that would bring me to where I am at this present time. The young man forgave me and thanked me for being man enough to admit & speak openly about what I was and had become, as well as what goes on within the lgbTQia+ cult.
Many cringe at the admission of having been a pedophile, some for the pain it involves because of their own trauma or strongholds. We make all manner of excuses to escape a clear view of ourselves. Some even try to convince others that it is not wise or possible to make amends when we are really simply protecting ourselves from seeing ourselves. This is utter foolishness and it is a lie from the pit of hell.
Now there are times when it is genuinely unwise or not possible to make amends, but we must beware lest we cheat ourselves of the necessary Blessing of self-knowledge by avoiding what is unpleasant for us rather than hurtful for the one to whom we brought pain. This is why it is so important to be transparent & admit our defects and past (or present) secrets & sins to others... to weigh the different situations in the amend making process. We need others to help counsel & advise.
Let us also remember that there is no progress without knowing from where we came, where we are and where we want to go (are heading). Let us ask for Grace, Guidance & Strength to get to know ourselves in the process of making amends, restoring relationships (when advisable or possible) and in seeing that those restored relationships are never fractured again. If these things come to pass, we will have made amends and found Blessings that will last for the rest of our lives.
FATHER GOD, Please keep me from undermining my walk with YOU, as well as my growth, by trying to protect myself from necessary suffering. Please make me willing to know the pain of seeing myself clearly; boils, scars, warts & all! Only then can I leave that which I do not want to be and, by YOUR Grace, become that which I long to be. Set me free from the tyranny of self-ignorance and grant me the freedom of self-knowledge! Thank YOU for all of the Blessings YOU provide. I Praise & Glorify YOU. I Pray to YOU in The Name of YOUR Son, YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST. Amen.
Reading 1Timothy 4:1-16...
One reason making amends is so important is that it helps us break through the denial which may still be keeping us in the dark. When we confess to GOD Almighty, we may not fully face the weight of sin in our heart. When we confess to ourselves, we may still be hiding many things that we don’t really have to confront because we are just repeating to ourselves what we already know and there is no risk. But when we confess to other human beings, our own blindness makes what we say the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth.
For example, I used to make it a point to state that I was only guilty of luring in, and seducing, teenage boys because the admission of just being a pedophile was too much for me, seemed to be something I didn’t want to face because I couldn’t be that monster, or could I!??!
Although I was never drawn to little children I did lure in, seduce & recruit some teenagers & even some preteens, so the very first battle for me was to admit that I had become a child molester, and that it could have gotten even darker and things could have gotten much worse, in order for me to face what was living inside of me & to be forgiven. And HE forgave me! Hallelujah!
There is a twisted understanding within victims of sexual molestation or sexual abuse that there is nothing wrong with engaging in those acts, and so the circle of victimization continues. Until it is broken! Now this is not true for all victims, but it is for many.
I am not “in recovery” for my past addictions, strongholds or vices because I am Recovered! Washed Clean! Justified! Sanctified! And set forth on solid ground for a purpose & time such as this. Once you surrender to YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST, then you are recovered!
In making amends we come face to face with the one/s we have wronged. They know the truth of what happened. They may see all too clearly that to which we are blind. Now we can get a glimpse of ourselves and the pain we have caused through the eyes of the ones that we have hurt. Their anger, pain or grief can be used to tear down the veil behind which we have hidden from ourselves and help us see who we really were/are.
It was all of HIM in me, with me & through me when I met with one of the young men that I had not only seduced but infected with HIV/AIDS. I seduced him into sexual darkness when he was just 14 and it went on until he was 18, which is the year before I was Saved (from my death-bed at age 37) and was lead, by The HOLY SPIRIT, into The Light of Truth and set on the path that would bring me to where I am at this present time. The young man forgave me and thanked me for being man enough to admit & speak openly about what I was and had become, as well as what goes on within the lgbTQia+ cult.
Many cringe at the admission of having been a pedophile, some for the pain it involves because of their own trauma or strongholds. We make all manner of excuses to escape a clear view of ourselves. Some even try to convince others that it is not wise or possible to make amends when we are really simply protecting ourselves from seeing ourselves. This is utter foolishness and it is a lie from the pit of hell.
Now there are times when it is genuinely unwise or not possible to make amends, but we must beware lest we cheat ourselves of the necessary Blessing of self-knowledge by avoiding what is unpleasant for us rather than hurtful for the one to whom we brought pain. This is why it is so important to be transparent & admit our defects and past (or present) secrets & sins to others... to weigh the different situations in the amend making process. We need others to help counsel & advise.
Let us also remember that there is no progress without knowing from where we came, where we are and where we want to go (are heading). Let us ask for Grace, Guidance & Strength to get to know ourselves in the process of making amends, restoring relationships (when advisable or possible) and in seeing that those restored relationships are never fractured again. If these things come to pass, we will have made amends and found Blessings that will last for the rest of our lives.
FATHER GOD, Please keep me from undermining my walk with YOU, as well as my growth, by trying to protect myself from necessary suffering. Please make me willing to know the pain of seeing myself clearly; boils, scars, warts & all! Only then can I leave that which I do not want to be and, by YOUR Grace, become that which I long to be. Set me free from the tyranny of self-ignorance and grant me the freedom of self-knowledge! Thank YOU for all of the Blessings YOU provide. I Praise & Glorify YOU. I Pray to YOU in The Name of YOUR Son, YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST. Amen.
Reading 1Timothy 4:1-16...