This post is going to sting a little. Because I am going to try to be as raw and real as possible, tearing the bandage off swiftly. What you are about to read is something that we all deal with at one point or another during our walk. So, here goes. I will be the first one to tell you that I am not always the perfect Christian. I definitely try to be. But, as a sinful, imperfect, fallen human being, I typically seem to fall short. Galatians 3:26 tells me that, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am royalty. “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” But sometimes, if I’m honest, I just don’t feel worthy of bearing that title. I fail God so frequently. This is my confession; a confession from a daughter of the King.
Even though I strive to tell the truth, sometimes I lie. And it’s so easy to do. Consider this scenario. Your boss calls you into work on your day off and you happily agree but grumble when you get off the phone, you are deceiving. God sees no difference between deception and lies. In deceiving your boss into thinking that you were okay to work when you really weren’t, you lied. Plus, your unhappiness will probably affect your work in some way, and rob God of glory.
What about when we tell a friend, spouse, or co-worker that they look great but they really don’t? We have lied. They will leave the house confident in your honesty, only to realize when they get to work that there is a large, noticeable stain on their pants or their muffin top bulges beneath their blouse.
As a confession from a daughter of the King, I know that lying is a quite unflattering sin. But I acknowledge that I do it… as we all do.
Although God does not tell us to disregard other’s feelings with our words, He does tell us that we should be honest with everyone. And it should begin with self-examination (because God already knows our hearts). Once we stop lying to ourselves about our faults, we can then learn how to be honest with others… without hurting. There are tactful ways to be honest. The question is will we take the time to find it?
“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22
I also confess that sometimes I take the Lord’s name in vain. We often think that taking the Lord’s name in vain means cursing. But it is misusing the name of God in any way, shape, or form. I am guilty of that. I slip and say things like, “Oh, my God” or “I swear to God”. From the moment I met Jesus, I learned that these sayings were wrong. As teenagers, we weren’t even allowed to say “Holy cow”. Which proved quite a feat since it was the name of one of our favorite ice cream parlors 🙂 .
But I have to confess that there are even rare occasions when I also take the Lord’s name in vain by cursing. There are times when I have stubbed my toe, then I slip and take the Lord’s name in vain. And how often do we do this mindlessly?
If we think about what we are doing when we say, “Oh, my God”, it should cause us great sadness. Imagine it like this. What if someone you really wanted to talk to constantly called your name? They didn’t need anything. And they didn’t really want to speak with you. They just said your name to say it. Each time that we say God’s name, He is answering with a, “Yes, my child”. He is eager to speak with us. He longs to hear our voice. But then, we don’t even respond. Why? Because we were just saying his name to say it, taking His precious name in vain.
Even making a vow, using God’s name, is expressly forbidden in the Bible, so much so that condemnation is promised. James 5:12 says, “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.” As someone who sometimes experiences disbelief from others, I find myself saying, “I swear to God, at times” I say it as if that simple phrase is going to make them believe me. LOL. If I have proven myself to be trustworthy (which is what the scripture tells us to do), then I won’t need an oath or to swear by God’s name. This is an area of my life that I really need to work on.
I also struggle with major bouts of discontentment (the sin of covetousness). Sometimes, I find my imagination wandering, daydreaming about owning a boat or a house or a new car. I envy those who get days off while I am working, (because God blessed me with the spiritual gift of a servant’s heart, I work a lot when others are not) 😀 .
When I look at magazines or watch television, I sometimes experience a twinge of jealousy because my reflection just never looks like those images. I see other husbands who dote on their wives in ways that I wish my husband did. And I allow myself to want those things. Sometimes I want them badly. So, I ask myself why: Why can’t I have those things? Why can’t I catch a break? Why can’t I look like a model? Ugh, another unflattering confession from a daughter of the king.
But discontentment is an ultimate distrust in God. When we are discontent and ask ourselves “why”, we are really just second-guessing God’s plan. Maybe He hasn’t given us the luxuries that others have because it’s going to be a major part of our testimony. Or, perhaps if we had all that we desired, we would stop desiring and/or needing Him.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11
Perhaps, God hasn’t given us that time off because there is someone who needs us to lighten their load. “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4:28.
Maybe He hasn’t snapped His fingers and allowed weight loss or straight teeth because there are lessons that we still have to learn to become our best selves… like how we are wonderfully created just the way we are.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14.
And maybe He hasn’t given me a husband who dotes on me the way other husbands dote on their wives because, the qualities that my husband does have — strength, wisdom, generosity, etc. — might someday be much more important. He created each of us uniquely for different purposes. My husband was created for me and I was created for him, each uniquely possessing the gifts/abilities that compliment and meet the needs of the other.
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8
Who are we to question God’s plan when it is far greater than we could ever even imagine?
“But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20”
A confession from a daughter of the king would not be complete without a word on love. I am guilty of a horrible sin. I hate. And it is not a deliberate, intentional, deep-seated hatred. Sometimes, in fact, I don’t even realize that I am doing it. I hate when people ridicule or question my faith. And I hate when people judge me. It is even hatred when I don’t love others. If we are not loving, we are hating. “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18.
To finish this confession from a daughter of the King, I know that I should be in the word every day. And I know that, whether I am tired or not, I should be in church. I know that I should spend quiet time with God. And I know that God has special messages for me in my devotionals, my church service, and even in my fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, I should not forsake any of them.
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Most of all, I know that I should pray more. And God doesn’t need a special prayer. Like a relative who we haven’t spoken to in years, He only cares that we reach out to Him. It brings Him so much joy to hear the sound of our voices. “pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
It astonishes me to know that God sent His own Son to hang on that cross… for me. And Jesus walked away from paradise voluntarily, to enter a fallen world… for me. He visualized and experienced the tremendous weight of each of my sins (lying, taking His name in vain, covetousness, hatred, rejection and disregard) on his battered shoulders. And there are many, many more sins that I continue to commit on a daily basis. Can you even imagine?
But, as I mentioned above, sometimes I fall short… as we all do.
And this has been a painful confession from a daughter of the king.
The good news for me and for you is that, in our faltering, God forgives and restores. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19
It is time for us, as Christ’s body, to realize what was given for us — and to us. It is time for us, as Christ’s church, to live as He commanded. Starting with me. In the words of my father, “Nike… Just Do It.” No excuses. Now is the time for us to act and to live like Jesus. We should be striving for perfection. And, by doing that, we reveal God and His love to those around us. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8.
Father, we thank you for your unending forgiveness. Each time that we sin, we take the pain of your sacrifice for granted. Help us to live more like you. Teach us, guide us, lead us in your ways. Open our eyes to our shortcomings and sin. Thank you for the understanding that you provide our readers as they read, “A Confession from A Daughter of the King”. Convict us, Father. And let us not continue onward, blinded, and believing that we are “good people”. Help us to see that YOU are the creator of ALL that is good and, if it is not of you, it is NOT good. Reignite that newborn Christian fire within each and every one of us. Help us to dedicate — or rededicate — all that we have, own, and love to you.
Jesus, thank you for all that you have done for us. Forgive me for the times that I take your sacrifice for granted. When I sin, remind me of that sacrifice. Burn your image into my mind, Lord. Do not let me fall prey to the enemy’s fatal arrows. Be my fortress and my protector. Keep me safe from temptation, Lord. I praise you that, as my shepherd, you are willing to leave the 99 to seek out this one lost sheep and bring me back to lush, green pasture.
Holy Spirit, please continue to be that guiding voice of conviction that resides in my heart. Help me to better discern your voice from what the world wants me to believe is right. Holy Spirit, walk with me. When I am weak, remind me that God is my strength. When I am tired, remind me that God is my energy. And when my life seems irreparably broken, remind me that God is the only glue that will NEVER be water-soluble. Bind me to you, Father!
We pray these things in the precious, holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Have the lies of others — or your own lies — affected your life deeply? Do you find yourself wallowing in discontentment, wondering if your life will ever get better? Do you experience hatred for another human being? Well, God can release you from the chains that bind you to the world and the sin therein. All you have to do is pray the simple prayer found on our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) from the bottom of your heart. Only God can heal the hurt and pain that weighs you down. Just pray.
Once you have, please reach out to me at admin@forgiven-n-loved.com and let me know so that I can be in prayer for you. Hopefully, I can walk with you and help you grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Luv Ya!
