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Sin is a powerful force in our lives today, just as it was in the days of ancient Israel. We can be so blinded by sin that we actually become blind to the sins we might commit against God and our neighbors.
The Law speaks of one who might make a vow to the Lord, only to realize, upon further reflection, that this was a foolish and sinful act (Lev. 5.4, 5). The text above refers to one who actually sins against God or a neighbor and isn’t aware of his transgression, or has willfully refused to face up to the wrong he is committing, but who later “comes to his senses” and realizes his guilt.
By some means, therefore, Israelites were expected to review their lives, to keep a watchon their conduct, and to be open to God correcting them as needed, whether through some prompting of His Spirit or the intervention of a neighbor or loved one (cf. Ps. 139.23, 24).
We cannot make progress in holiness if we do not discipline ourselves to put behind us any practices which are contrary to the holy and righteous and good Law of God (Rom. 7.12). And, since sin is such that it can make us blindto sin in the moment of actually committingsin, some time must be set aside in our lives for reflecting on our activities and listening to the Lord and others for any words of confirmation or correction.
Solomon, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul all affirm that this is a wise and necessary discipline. The spiritual discipline of the self-watch is as old as the Law of God and, because of the law of sin still active within us, remains as necessary today as it was in the days of Moses and ancient Israel.
T. M. Moore
The book of Ecclesiastes is a crucial resource for understanding the Biblical worldview against the backdrop of our secular age. Follow T. M.’s studies in Ecclesiastes by downloading the free, weekly studies available in our Scriptorium Resources page at The Fellowship of Ailbe. Click hereto see the weekly studies available thus far.
Want to grow your own spiritual disciplines as you learn more about the unseen realm? Order a copy of The Landscape of Unseen Things, T. M.’s 24-lesson study of that realm which anchors our Christian worldview.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.