Create a Clean Heart in Me Oh Lord

Once I was asked why I am always correcting people? Shouldn't I be focusing on the positive? My answer was "The good does not need fixing."

When we focus only on the positive we are engaging in flattery not building someone's character. Those who only want to think happy thoughts will never grow in holiness and will never change.

Sure, believers are joyful all the time, but constantly praising people over their accomplishments does nothing to help them improve. When we are walking around happy about what we have already done it is not likely we will want to hear what we needed to do to improve.

It is hardship, correction and discipline that grows character. It is really true that difficulties don't only shape the character it reveals it. When it is revealed to us what our inner heart is by our responses to correction, that is the real us inside that we hide from others. Either humble and ready to hear or rageful and disrespectful to intimidate others into believing something wrong was done to them.

When someone rages at us because they don't like our correction we know that person has problems with pride and stubbornness that was hidden all along.

God brings us challenges so that our character will be revealed to us. He already knows what is inside but He wants us to own it so we will confess it to be cleansed. If we rage at correction those who are discerning can see the anger that resides inside of us.

Those who exact covert revenge on those who correct them, will need stronger discipline so that they will see for themselves that covertly mean actions are just the same as an overt outburst of anger, they are the same anger. One is just more subtle and deniable and the other cannot be denied.

When we are confident in Christ we are not afraid of learning our flaws, we can even speak them ourselves before others get around to it. We own what is our and because of it we grow emotionally and Spiritually.

No one can grow and change without the humility to admit their own flaws.

1 John 1:9

"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:8-10 "…8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us."

Narcissists see admitting our own flaws as a weakness because of the pride that dwells in themselves. God calls it strength and confidence to tell the truth about ourselves without disintegrating into a puddle of the floor in shame.

There is no shame in admitting our flaws, but there is shame in those who cannot openly admit their own flaws to be changed because of the desire to grow in holiness.

Those who cannot face their flaws and speak them openly are very weak people propped up by a false superiority they must feel to have significance.

Never be ashamed at having to admit a flaw, doing so will help cleanse us of that flaw making us a better person than we were before we confessed it.

Do we want to become better, or do we just want to pretend to be better?

Psalm 32:5

"Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah"

Proverbs 28:13

"He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy."

Rejoice when you have discovered a flaw that needs to be fixed and then praise God that He said He would work in us to cleanse it from our soul.