Acknowledgment

“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.”

“But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Heb. 5:14.

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Rom. 8:6.

To hush up uncomfortable matters in your own and other people’s lives can seem to lead to life and peace. However, that is not walking in the light, and the resulting peace you experience is short-lived.

“They have also healed the hurt of my people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, Peace!’ when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14.

To hush up a matter that is not good shows a lack of acknowledgment. There is no cleansing without acknowledgment. Trying to circumvent or avoid having to acknowledge a certain matter is the same as seeking honor. That was Saul’s way, and it went badly with him. 1 Sam. 15:24-26.

Those who want to do evil are ungodly and hypocrites; yet those who want to do good will also find that the evil is present with them. This will continue to be so as long as one is not perfected. Knowing this can help us to come to an acknowledgment. We are to exercise our senses to discern between good and evil. This is our spiritual growth. This growth transpires mostly in the hidden life before God’s face through sanctification by the Spirit. 2 Thess. 2:13-14. There we need to abide faithfully in the exhortation Paul gives to Timothy. 1 Tim. 4:16.

Nevertheless, it can also happen that the person who wants to do good does something that is not good, and it can come to the attention of a few individuals, or even the whole church. Then it can be difficult to acknowledge it without attempting to explain it away or to cover it up. If he tries to do that he becomes obstinate and adds sin to sin.

The consequences of what he said or did, did not lead to life and peace, and when someone points it out, it is difficult for him to listen to the person who pointed it out. He interrupts and explains and thereby loses the others’ respect. This is where the knowledge concerning the evil that is present with me can be of help to me if I really want to do the good. Then I will listen with interest to those who point out the matter. In this way I can receive help to see the evil that was present with me, by which I was taken captive, and my senses are also exercised to discern between good and evil. I am respected for my humility, and thus I become an example to the others. Satan does not gain any power, and the result is life and peace.

The person wanted to do good, but he was taken captive by the law of sin in his members. He served God’s law with his mind but the law of sin with his flesh. Therefore there is no condemnation for what he did. He receives help from those who point out the matter—help to grow. He ought to be thankful for that. It is a help for the whole church.