Humility is such an elusive virtue. Once you think you’ve found it, pride tends to sneak in the backdoor.
Our adversary knows that one of the ways he can render us ineffective is by seducing us towards pride. We can be so proud of what God has done in our lives that we forget the “what God has done” part of that sentence, and become arrogant. We can forget that we once were lost, but by the grace of God, we have been found.
So here’s a check-up for us: when was the last time that you said “I was wrong?”
Not the last time that you said, “I’m sorry you felt that way.” That’s a “non-apology apology.” A “fauxpology” that doesn’t admit guilt, but puts the blame on the other person.
Not the last time you said “Mistakes were made” instead of “I missed up.”
Not the last time you said “If I offended you…” instead of “Since I hurt you…”
Not the last time you said “I’m sorry, but…”.
When was the last time you said, “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I take responsibility. I should have done better?”
It’s easy for our pride to keep us from admitting that we were wrong. Sometimes our pride even keeps us from realizing that we were wrong. If you can’t remember the last time you offered a real apology, or the last time that you were wrong about something, it could be that the devil has pulled the wool over your eyes.
James 5:16 offers us the Christian pattern: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (NLT)