Good teaching includes the need to confess sin

 

It is well said that if no one learns, teaching has not occurred. In my experience of leading Bible studies and teaching Sunday classes, this is so true. It is also frustrating for the teacher if the reason for not learning is because people are not interested in the material or do not want to learn. Christian truths can have this effect — unless the message includes the Holy Spirit and His role to enable us to obey. We need reminding that He can overcome our old nature with its desire to rule and our sense of weakness. In fact, that weakness is vital in learning to walk in the strength of God and do what He says.

Today’s reading introduces this idea: “When communion (with God) fails, teaching comes in to take its place. Doctrines are looked to as the remedy for spiritual coldness and wandering. The effect at first seems blessed, but truth alone, without the Spirit, cannot reach the central home of the soul; and sooner or later, therefore, teaching also fails.”

The rest of the reading blows away more teaching as a failure and blames disciples for not going deeper. However, as a teacher I see the problem is usually about missing some vital elements in the curriculum. One of those is a good understanding of how the old nature tries to be what God wants us to be. This can make us seek fresh truth when we fail, but that is not the need. Instead, confession, forgiveness, and cleansing will begin the process of being able to walk with God. For this reason, I consider this verse the most important truth for spiritual growth:

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)

But there is another. It is this description of sin from the OT:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

My own way is a sin. Doing anything apart from the leading and power of the Holy Spirit is sin. This is so subtle that I can think spiritual ministry is okay even without prayer or that I don’t need the weakness that makes us strong in the power of the Holy Spirit. How much service is done for Christ but really done like the Pharisees served God — in their own way. To them and to me, Jesus says:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:1–4)

Hypocrisy is not always about things like going to the church Sunday and beating your wife at home, or being sweet to the neighbors and cursing them behind their backs. It is also about being religious without the power of the Holy Spirit simply to impress people. It might even be sincere, but if it is “doing my own thing” it is sin.

Confessing blasphemy, lies, cheating, and such obvious sin is less difficult and more common. Confessing that I trust my own wisdom, power, and plans is rare. Many Christians don’t even realize the insult to God in thinking and acting as if I know better than He.

Sadly, rarely is the sermon on distinguishing the flesh from the Spirit, yet they are in constant conflict and I need to recognize the difference.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another…  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do… (Galatians 5:13–18)

PRAY: Jesus, when You make me aware of the flesh and my need to confess straying into that direction, You also grant the freedom of living by the Spirit. May I always be alert to what You say and obey all of it, lest I ignore You and the power Your Spirit — and the power of good teaching.