A Devious Repentance By Elisabeth Elliot
Published August 17, 2018 | 
Recently I committed a sin of what seemed to me unpardonable thoughtlessness. For days I wanted to kick myself around the block. What is the matter with me? I thought. How could I have acted so? “Fret not thyself because of evildoers” came to mind. In this case the evildoer was myself, and I was fretting. My fretting, I discovered, was a subtle kind of pride. “I’m really not that sort of person,” I was saying. I did not want to be thought of as that sort of person. I was very sorry for what I had done, not primarily because I had failed someone I loved, but because my reputation would be smudged. When my reputation becomes my chief concern, my repentance has a hollow ring. No wonder Satan is called the deceiver. He has a thousand tricks, and we fall for them.
Lord, I confess my sin of thoughtlessness and my sin of pride. I pray for a more loving and a purer heart, for Jesus’ sake.
5 Responses to A Devious Repentance By Elisabeth Elliot
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A good reminder. This part was especially convicting: "“I’m really not that sort of person,” I was saying. I did not want to be thought of as that sort of person. I was very sorry for what I had done, not primarily because I had failed someone I loved, but because my reputation would be smudged." In looking at myself I realize that I do this sometimes. And how often I forget that I AM that kind of person. But praise God that Christ in me is not that kind of person. And when I yield to Him, He lives the life I ought to live through me. So glad that He is patient with us. Thank you so much for posting all of these articles and things. :) In Christ, Veronica
I just want to say THANK YOU for this website!!! I appreciate that you have compiled all of this information and made it available. God has certainly used it to convict, encourage, and grow me. Thank you for being His vessel. Blessings to you.
Thank you sister for saying so!
We have been going through an adoption for 27 months. It has been long. I have been indignant at how they stick their noses into every aspect of my life. How dare they! I want to adopt a relative and I have to go through all this. I know dozens of women who got pregnant with out even thinking. And I have to go through this. Pride. I think I am someone. I think I have something to offer. Family and friends do not share the excitement I have. They are busy with their children and grandchildren. They do not have time to see the awesome event God is allowing. I do not appreciate all that I am learning about myself and my expectations of others. This adoption is so much more then my empty womb. I want to be excited about being a mom. I want to hold my son.
Sister, i feel your pain. I am an older single who longs for a child. As the Lord wills....in His time..as He desires...let it be so. He knows what is best for me. He does love us so and only withholds that which is good. But never withholds His love for us. That is true! May you feel His tender care and compassion