Do You Admit To Your Mistakes

   “The only people who make no mistakes are dead people.” This statement has been said of imperfect humans. And when you think about matters, which is not wrong at times? Who among us does not make mistakes? “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7: 20.  Yet, as common it is to make a mistake, to sin…it is difficult to admit! 
  
    Seemingly, it is human nature to try to justify ourselves. A person may try to rationalize that what he did was not actually wrong, that someone else really was at fault, or that unusual circumstances were to blame. Especially does it seem difficult for those in positions of responsibility to admit being wrong. No doubt due to pride. They are concerned with what others may think; or, to “save face”.  One may feel that his position is threatened if he admits a mistake.

    They may be reluctant to admit that they are wrong because of losing their job; or going to prison. Moreover, the heart may harbor emotions that prevent us from admitting our error. Yes, “The heart is more treacherous than anything else…Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Shortsighted self-interest may prompt us to justify ourselves rather that admitting that we are wrong; regardless of our reasoning, refusing to admit when we are wrong has unfavorable consequences. 
  
  Still more serious is the fact that wrongdoing burdens us with a guilty conscience, especially if someone else gets the blame for what we have done. Having refused to admit making small mistakes, one may soon refuse to admit making large ones, all to their undoing, and it can soon become a habit. Such a course is bound to harm your relationship with your Creator.

   Clearly, we need help if we are to overcome this tendency of admitting wrong. Often a sense of humor will be a help, especially if the mistake wasn't too serious. A sense of humor will keep us from taking ourselves too seriously. Honesty and Empathy also enters the picture. If certain persons are entitled to know that we have erred, be willing to admit the wrong: especially should empathy move us to admit it if another person would otherwise be blamed and would suffer for our mistake. Humility also will help us to admit a mistake. 
   
  Refusing to admit that one has made a mistake is like claiming infallibility and borders on hypocrisy. The claim of infallibility does incalculable harm to the credibility of anyone professing it. No human knows everything; we all keep learning. Repeatedly, due to insufficient knowledge, we make mistakes. Admitting mistakes will impress it so on our mind that we will be less likely to repeat that mistake, if for no other reason than because of the humiliation that was involved. So, be willing to say, “I made a mistake and I’m sorry.” Then try very hard not to repeat it.

Thanks you for stopping by this week for another Weekly Topic from the Bible. Please leave comments if you so desire... Loretta