The Ugly Truth About Sin, Blushing, and Laughter

“You’re blushing,” my oldest’s observation served to deepen the color of my cheeks.

I felt embarrassed, which is not a habit of mine, and my cheeks warmed up as my heart rate increased.

Interestingly enough I will blush when I’m unsure of my role, when I feel embarrassed about a social situation, but I rarely blush when I am talking about sin in my life.

“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.” Ezra 9:6

Too often sin becomes a joke that I laugh off with several other friends who struggle with similar sin. We pat each other on the back and say things like, “Nobody is perfect,” or “We all do that.” But what if we didn’t? I mean what if we all admitted we have sin problems and take it seriously.

I think about the drug addict or alcoholic who struggles with staying clean. We don’t just pat those folks on the back and say, “Nobody’s perfect, here take another hit.” No, we get them help. We get them to treatment centers so they can “get clean.”

So why do we just wallow in our sin? Why don’t we blush when we admit we are living in sin, whether it be adultery, gossip, pride, lack of self-discipline, etc.? All of that sin sent Jesus to the cross, all of it made a close relationship with God impossible, all of it requires a payment that we cannot afford.

Perhaps as we ask God to examine our lives this Lenten season, it is time to also take sin seriously. It is time to pray for freedom from these unhealthy thoughts, actions, words, even attitudes that lessen our ability to serve God fully. Maybe we need to get an accountability partner to talk to about specific issues we are facing. Perhaps knowing someone will be checking in will help motivate us to serve God. As always we cannot live for God without walking in step with His Spirit and we can’t walk in step with the Spirit without spending time in God’s Word, praying, and being part of a church body.

Father God I confess that my heart is hardened to the sin in my life. I do not blush nor do I take seriously the sin in my life. Help me to walk in the strength of Your Spirit so I can say no to ungodliness and yes to godliness. Show me what steps I need to take to walk in obedience with You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.