Step Four - Freedom From Our Past

As we said last time, when we begin to walk with God the evil one hates it.  One of his great strategies is to try to use our past against us, filling us with guilt and shame. 

Well, God knows everything about our past and wants us to live free from it all.  That’s the purpose of Step 4

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Sounds scary and intimidating to us but here’s the good news.  God already knows it all.  We will not uncover and admit anything that is a surprise to Him.  God has already forgiven us and simply wants all the infection and pain to be revealed so we can live free from it and not have to live under the accusation and condemnation of the evil one any longer.

We are asked to look at our thoughts, motives, and behaviours, sort out what was right, what was wrong, and what our part was in it all. 

Who gets to decide what is right and wrong? The obvious answer would be that the one who knows everything should make that call.  God is the one who has set the world in place and has given us life and breath.  God knows the end from the beginning and God has been careful to tell us what is good and what is harmful.  Thankfully it's all written down for us in the Bible. 

As we come to know God’s will for us then we can recognize what we’ve been doing that’s been harmful to us and others and step away from those things.  That’s the purpose of doing an inventory. 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Truthfully, for most of us the real problem is not being aware of what is morally right or wrong but rather of just wanting to do things that are right in our own eyes.  God can help us as we evaluate our desires and our motives as well as our behaviours.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13

Loving God, Please help us again today to take an honest look at our lives and see where we have fallen short of doing what is right and good.  Help us to see where our own stubborn self-will causes problems.  Fill us with grace so we can begin to live in a new way, starting today.  Amen

So it’s always a good time to take a good honest look at our lives with God’s eyes.  Let’s do that today so we can live with freedom and joy.