Matthew 7:1-5 (NLT)
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
“I’m not an alcoholic.” “I don’t have a drug problem.” “I can stop anytime.” “I'm not that bad of a person.”
All of these are lines we’ve either said or heard at some point during our times as abusers. It is called by many names, but the one which perhaps best explains it best is denial. Denial possesses the potential to manipulate us into believing that everything is fine. That we are fine. The damage it wreaks is often deadly, because the whole time we deceive ourselves into thinking we have control. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Alex was in the throes of denial from the moment he stepped off the bus and into our program. He thought getting away from his home, family, friends, and influences alone were enough. He was convinced his problem wasn’t sin or drinking too much. Rather, he claimed his experiences caused him to become someone he wasn’t. While there may be some truth in that philosophy, he never admitted that he was a cause. And furthermore, that he was powerless to control himself. He fooled himself, aided by the clever and cunning deception of the devil, into believing the problem could be sorted out without admitting anything, especially helplessness and defeat. Sadly, he was drunk within a week of graduating.
Denial only compounds our problems and makes recovery, already a difficult task, more excruciatingly painful. We must admit our powerlessness over our sin problem, confess the nature of our wrongs, and beg mercy from a loving Savior, Jesus Christ. When we give up and give out, a miraculous thing occurs. Freedom and peace permeate our lives. We no longer have to expend energy making excuses or covering up our lies with more lies. We can become responsible and humble people, admitting we’re not perfect, but running to the very One who is. In Jesus, we have no fear. For His perfect love casts out fear. So what is stopping you from admitting and confessing your weakness? From coming out of denial and into His glorious light?
Discussion Questions:
1. Are there any issues in your life in which you live in denial?
2. How is denial unhealthy (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically) for us?
3. What are some steps you can take TODAY to come out of denial and into the light of Jesus?
