"I need you in order to really see and know myself. Otherwise, I will listen to my own arguments, believe my own lies, and buy into my own delusions. My self-perception is as accurate as a carnival mirror. If I am going to see myself clearly, I need you to hold the mirror of God's Word in front of me...As Christians who still have pockets of spiritual blindness, we need two character qualities. First, we need the loving courage of honesty. We need to love others more than we love ourselves, and so, with humble, patient love, help them see what they need to see. Second, we need the thankful humility of approachability. We need to forsake defensiveness, be thankful that God has surrounded us with help, and be ready to receive it--every day!"Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, p. 54.
1 comment:
that's a helpful metaphor for how we think we see ourselves rightly, but actually our self-perceptions are like a carnival mirror- distorted. We need others to help us see straight.
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