Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional December 29th – Own Up!

(Learn To Accept And Confess Your Slips)

TO THE BIBLE: James 5:16 AMPC
“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]….”

LET’S TALK
“Mum, I’m not going to apologise to Darby,” Cyril said about his twin sister, “She’s the one who owes me an apology for breaking my game console.”

“But Mum, he started it: he entered my room without permission and tried to run away when I saw him. That’s when he tripped and broke my fishbowl!” Darby cried.

“Well, you guys must apologise to each other; you’re both at fault. So go ahead and say you’re sorry,” Mum instructed.

“I’m sorry!” the twins chorused.
“Now don’t you feel better? Help each other clean up the mess you’ve caused in your rooms.”

The verse above admonishes that you own up when you do something wrong against your brother or sister. It’s not talking about going to them to confess all your sins, as many have erroneously assumed; rather, it means being humble enough to accept your fault.

Note that when it says “your sins,” it’s not referring to sins against God; it’s talking about the person you offended—he’s the one to forgive you.

So, always be quick and gracious to acknowledge and accept your wrong when you err against your brother or sister in the Lord.

When you live like this, there’ll be peace in your heart, and in your life, because this is God’s will.

Likewise, when you’re offended, reach out to the offender; don’t wait for him or her to come and apologise to you before you forgive.

Don’t hold a grudge; it doesn’t mean you’re being naïve or unduly indulging that one who has offended you; it simply shows the excellence and nobility of your character.

God doesn’t brood over your wrong or hold it against you, so why should you brood over the wrong done to you by someone else, and let it linger? Don’t do that. Forgive quickly!

Go Deeper
Acts 4:12; Colossians 3:17

Pray
Dear Father, I thank you for the Lordship of your Word over my life. In my dealings with people today, I’m humble and tender-hearted, fully yielded to your Word. Wrath, anger, and clamour with all bitterness are not a part of me, for I’m rooted and grounded in love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Revelation 20, Zechariah 12-14
TWO YEAR
Revelation 21:13-27, Zechariah 13-14

Act
If you’ve wronged anyone in the past, accept your fault, and if you were wronged, be generous and forgive that person.