DENIAL

DENIAL

No matter how painful the past may be, we must return from time to time for a short visit, to be able to see and understand the present, and recognize hopefully that we’ve not just survived the past, but that we’ve changed, grown, and matured from it. Many refuse to visit or explore the past because of the pain, and lock themselves into a closet of denial, refusing to examine, and consequently live in the present. The closet for many becomes drugs, alcohol, and other sinful behaviors which lead to another form of denial, then another, and another. Denial is merely a lie, and soon a person’s entire life is one big lie! In doing so, they’re allowing their painful past to dictate the present. Our lives are defined by our past whether we deny it or not. We can’t escape our past or hide from it! We must dissect and examine it piece by piece under a microscope until we understand ourselves and who we are, and how we fit into this evil, sinful world.  

For the Christian, that should be an easy task. Most of that initial and basic understanding is provided when we’re born again, and “IF” we’re Born Again. “IF” we’re truly Born Again we become “brand new creatures,”  2 Corinthians 5:17  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” That means leaving the baggage behind, repenting and moving forwards. Anything else means you need to closely examine, meditate and pray over that word “IF”. Do a word search of it and where it’s used throughout the Bible, perhaps starting with John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Because if you don’t follow the “IF’S”, it means you’re carrying a lot of old baggage and still living in denial of God’s Powerful Truth, and the many promises He makes us for a Blessed and changed life. There is no reason or excuse for the Born Again Christian to remain living in the past through denial of the present. A very brief visit should quickly confirm that yes, that used to be me, but now I am a child of the One True Living God, who has set me free from my past, and now I am Saved and Sober!