The Bible commands God’s begotten children to examine themselves each spring so that they do not take the Passover in an unworthy manner (I Cor. 11:27–29). After examining ourselves and taking the symbols of Christ’s sacrifice, we rededicate ourselves to overcoming the faults we have seen, including some that may have been there for quite some time. But what about the ones we do not see? David asked, “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from my secret faults” (Psa. 19:12). What exactly did David mean by his “secret faults”?
In I Samuel 13:14, Samuel told Saul that his monarchy would not continue and that, “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” Later, God again reminded Samuel what He was looking for in a king: “…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Sam 16:7). As if to confirm what God had told Samuel, He inspired Luke to write: “And when He had removed him He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’” (Acts 13:22).
But not perfectly
David did not have a hostile attitude toward God, and he tried hard to change whenever he could see that he was wrong. However, he could not always see his faults. After stealing another man’s wife, he attempted to avoid the consequences and ultimately had the unknowing husband killed. But, incredible as it seems, David did not see that the whole ugly episode was wrong. To help David see himself and bring him to his senses, God sent Nathan the prophet with a message (II Sam. 12:1–15). This miserable situation showed David that he had some serious flaws in his character that he had not recognized.
Before we judge David too harshly, we need to take a look at ourselves to see if perhaps we have secret faults—areas where we just cannot see how, where and why we are wrong. As hard as it is to recognize and admit the faults we can see, how do we go about overcoming those we cannot see? In Psalm 139:23–24 David wrote: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” David asked God to show him the flaws, in his life and in his character, that he could not see. We can do as David did and ask for God’s help to see what we cannot.
Personal Bible study
God’s Word is sharper than a “two–edged sword” and can penetrate through layers of resistance to discern “the thoughts and the intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). The Bible is replete with stories and examples of both righteous and unrighteous men and women with whom God dealt according to their true character. God can teach us the lessons of these men and women, and show us lessons that we need to learn, through personal Bible study.
In Galatians 2:12–14 Paul confronts Peter regarding his actions of separating himself from the Gentiles. Peter was an apostle of God and leader of the early church, yet Paul showed him the hypocrisy of this behavior. Peter later brought forth fruit showing he had repented, as Matthew 3:8 says we should. There were no schisms between Peter and Paul. They had the greatest respect for one another. God used the apostle Paul to bring Peter to his senses, just as God had used Nathan the prophet to wake up David. They both, through God, learned of a secret fault they had. Then they repented and overcame that fault.
There are many other examples we can learn from. Moses, the meekest man on earth, had his moments of stubbornness and even bad temper (Ex. 4:1–14, Ex. 32:15–20). Jeremiah, a prophet of God, felt like giving up more than once (Jer. 8:21–22, Jer. 15:10). Elijah showed great faith, yet was also a victim of discouragement from time to time (I Kings 17–19). But all of these people qualified for the Kingdom of God, and so can we if we ask God to help us see ourselves as He sees us.
Judging others?
Bible study is not the only way to recognize the hidden faults we may have. We have all heard the old saying, “If only they could see themselves as others see them.” It certainly is possible that we can—if we want to. Look at Romans 2:1: “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” We can often see our faults more clearly in other people. Contemplate this for a moment. If we find something about another person that is especially irritating, it could well be that we have that same problem.
{{RelatedContent}}Remember the story about the rich man who took the poor man’s lamb when he could have chosen one from his own sizable herd. King David was incensed that anyone should be so greedy and selfish! Nathan quietly noted that that David was this man (II Sam. 12:1–4).
What is it in the behavior of others that angers us the most? Is it prejudice, greed, gossip, self–righteousness, tardiness or stubbornness? We should think carefully as we contemplate this question. Our answer may well be a clue to our own secret faults—“for you who judge practice the same things.”
One of the most important lessons God wants us to glean from this time of the year is to recognize our weaknesses, repent and realize that we can do nothing without Jesus Christ. We have been bought and paid for by our Savior. It is through Him that we can discover and overcome not only the faults we readily see, but also the ones we do not see.