APPLY SCRIPTURE
If you don’t call out your missteps, take responsibility, and address them—it’ll be tough to stay in the game and fill the role God has given you. You’re going to miss the mark at times, but remember these three things so you’re quick to make wrongs right. #1 Own mistakes. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). In the Greek, this means, and I’m paraphrasing: If you say you don’t sin, you’re a liar. Now, maybe you can get through a day and not willingly commit obvious sin. But, you’re still not perfect. You’ll make mistakes. And you need Jesus, or you’re lying to yourself. #2 Humble yourself. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We’ve established that you sin. What next? Well, you must confess your sin. Stop sugar-coating your failures. “I just got super passionate and yelled about that thing.” No, you were angry and said something you shouldn’t have—you sinned. Avoid the desire to downplay your sin or insert excuses. That’s pride, not humility. Wanna raise humble kids, show them humility. #3 Examine yourself. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (1 John 1:10). You aren’t fit to lead if you haven’t first owned your mistakes and humbled yourself. If you wanna keep leading well, it’ll take self-reflection. Sure, you’ll sin, don’t deny this—otherwise—you make God a liar. If you’ve owned your sin and humbly confessed it, then you should reflect and remember just how great God is for wanting a relationship with you.
LATEST ARTICLE
What It Means To Lead By Example: Leading by example isn’t just smart—it’s biblical. Whether at home, church, or work, your actions set the tone. Mess up? Own it. Feel like quitting? Stick with it. Want to grow? Follow Jesus’ lead. Dive in to explore four keys to leading by example and making your influence count
NEWEST PODCAST
| Don’t Bench Yourself – Call It Out: Any athlete worth his salt knows that once you get off the bench, you never want to go back. Your goal is to stay in the game. Our God-given purpose as men of faith is to stay off the sidelines and to serve our wives, kids, co-workers, and friends with integrity and intentionality. But we can’t do that if we refuse to be honest about our mistakes. We have to be able to call it out.
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GAIN INSIGHT
Max Lucado: “You don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. You just need to be willing.”
John Piper: “It’s not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith that saves us.”
Tim Keller: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.”
Bob Russell: “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes.”
C.S. Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
TAKE ACTION
Own it. As a husband and dad stay in the game by owning your mistakes. Be quick to admit when you’re wrong and seek God’s forgiveness. John writes some comforting words. Even though we sin, God is faithful and forgives. Live in that grace. Understand just how good and freeing His grace is. You aren’t chained to your sin. Don’t forget these steps: 1) Own your mistakes. 2) Humble yourself. 3) Examine yourself. Live out humility, and show your family how to do the same. This will help you keep growing while being the leader God has called you to be.
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Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey
P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.
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