“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”
Proverbs 27:17-19
In Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ book “Brokenness“, she challenges her readers to “practice letting the walls down”. As we open our hearts to others, it gives us an opportunity to humble ourselves. I love that…opportunities to humble ourselves, not exalt ourselves. Opportunites to let the Lord shine and for Him to be exalted as we humble our hearts before Him.
Our Proverbs 31 Gather and Grow group has just started this study on “Brokenness”. One of the homework items for next time is both challenging and exciting. We are inviting someone we trust for honest input into our lives. This can be scary. But I believe when we give the Lord our offering of vulnerability and a teachable heart, He will bless it one-hundred fold.
I’d like to share this heart “assignment” with you, too. See if this is something the Lord would have you do.
Excerpt Taken From “Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness” (page 116)
by Nancy Leigh Demoss
Go to a close friend or family member that you trust — a spouse, accountability partner, roommate, etc. — and do one (or both!) of the following:
>Share a specific area of spiritual need, sin or area of recurring defeat in your life, and ask that person to pray for you.
>Ask your friend to share any specific area(s) of concern that she has about your life — perhaps a “blind spot” she may have observed. If you’ve not done this before, you may want to do two things: (a) Ask God for the grace to receive the person’s input with humility; (b) Assure the person you ask that you really desire to know the truth and will not become offended at her remarks.
Grace Note
Generally, it’s a lot easier to see areas of weakness or pride in others than to see them in ourselves! If you’ve never asked anyone close to you for observations about your character or areas that need change, you may be reluctant to do so. But remember that spiritual blindness is usually unilateral. Others can see clearly those things we may not recognize about ourselves or may be unwilling to address.
Asking for honest input into our lives is a way to demonstrate the horizontal dimension of brokenness and usually strengthens our relationships with others.
Hard as it may be to open our hearts to others or receive candid feedback, it provides an opportunity to humble ourselves. Remember…you can never go wrong on the pathway of humility, because God promises to pour out His grace on the humble!
Psalm 139:23 -24 — “Search me, O God, and know my heart…see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
You may be surprised to find the Holy Spirit showing you areas of your life or certain motivations or heart attitudes that you had not considered before. Remember that the Great Physician does not uncover or expose us without intending to heal and restore us. It is a Father’s loving correction that is at the heart of any “diagnosis” you may receive.
“Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD ‘— and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah”
Psalm 32:5
Unknown says
This is a hard homework assignment! None of us wants to hear what we're doing wrong. You've got me thinking this morning, Sharon!
LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious says
Whoa, I'm ashamed of myself for tossing this assignment idea around in my head and being reluctant to take the challenge. I'm going to make finding the right person who will be honest with me, a matter of prayer. I want to be all he wants me to be, inspite of what I might have to change.
Thank you Sharon for sharing this today.
Lee Ann
Beth Herring says
Very thought inducing post here today. I have GOT to have that book!
Mich says
heavy duty stuff here…heavy duty thinking to be done
Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family says
Wow! what an assignment!! I need tp ponder and pray on this!
blessings,
Tami
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