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 about our true selves. When we confess to GOD Almighty, we may not fully face the sin in our heart. When we confess to ourselves, we may still be hiding many things that we don’t really have to confront. 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 and recruit some teenagers and 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 and to be forgiven. And HE forgave me! HalleluYAH!
There is an understanding within victims that have been molested or sexually abused that there is nothing wrong with it, and so the circle of victimization continues. Until it is broken!
I am not “in recovery” for my past addictions and strongholds because I Am Recovered! Washed Clean! Justified! Sanctified! And set forth on solid ground for a purpose and 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 whole truth and may even feel it deeply. 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 in the eyes of the ones that we have hurt. Their anger or their grief can be used to tear down the veil behind which we have hidden from ourselves and help us see who we really are.
It was all of HIM in me, with me and through me when I met with one of the young men 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.
Many cringe at the pain this might involve. We make all manner of excuses to escape a clear view of ourselves. We may even 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 a lie from the pit of hell.
While there are times when it's genuinely unwise or impossible to make amends, let us 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.
Let us remember that there is no progress without knowing from whence we came and where we want to go. Let us ask for Grace, Guidance and Strength to get to know ourselves in making amends, to restore relationships (when advisable or possible) and see that they are never fractured again, while we grow up into The CHRIST in all things. 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 and my growth by trying to protect myself from necessary suffering. Especially make me willing to know the pain of seeing myself clearly; boils, scars, warts and 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 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 about our true selves. When we confess to GOD Almighty, we may not fully face the sin in our heart. When we confess to ourselves, we may still be hiding many things that we don’t really have to confront. 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 and recruit some teenagers and 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 and to be forgiven. And HE forgave me! HalleluYAH!
There is an understanding within victims that have been molested or sexually abused that there is nothing wrong with it, and so the circle of victimization continues. Until it is broken!
I am not “in recovery” for my past addictions and strongholds because I Am Recovered! Washed Clean! Justified! Sanctified! And set forth on solid ground for a purpose and 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 whole truth and may even feel it deeply. 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 in the eyes of the ones that we have hurt. Their anger or their grief can be used to tear down the veil behind which we have hidden from ourselves and help us see who we really are.
It was all of HIM in me, with me and through me when I met with one of the young men 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.
Many cringe at the pain this might involve. We make all manner of excuses to escape a clear view of ourselves. We may even 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 a lie from the pit of hell.
While there are times when it's genuinely unwise or impossible to make amends, let us 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.
Let us remember that there is no progress without knowing from whence we came and where we want to go. Let us ask for Grace, Guidance and Strength to get to know ourselves in making amends, to restore relationships (when advisable or possible) and see that they are never fractured again, while we grow up into The CHRIST in all things. 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 and my growth by trying to protect myself from necessary suffering. Especially make me willing to know the pain of seeing myself clearly; boils, scars, warts and 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 YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST. Amen.
Reading 1Timothy 4:1-16...