Defining Moment

Defining Moment

The Woman At The Well

Read: John 4:17-18

The woman at the well didn’t like the direction this conversation had taken. She had been surprised that a Jewish man would talk with her and even ask for a drink. His talk about “living water” and the way he spoke with such authority had piqued her interest. But the fact that this stranger knew the intimate details of her personal life probably horrified her. How could he possibly know that she was in a sinful relationship? What business was it of his, anyway? How should she react to being confronted with her guilt by a total stranger? The Samaritan woman had come face-to-face with a defining moment. Her response would determine whether her life continued as usual or whether it would change dramatically.

When someone exposes our guilt, we have several choices as to how to react. If our boss discovers that we use work time for personal business, will we get indignant at his intrusion or apologize and stop doing it? When a friend confronts us about our failure to keep a promise, do we make excuses or make an effort to keep future commitments? Each time we’re faced with a failure or wrongdoing, it’s an opportunity to strengthen our character and make positive changes in our lives. Or we can blame others, rationalize our behavior, and get angry at the one who confronts us.

Although God knows when we’re ready to face an area of sin in our lives, we choose how to react when he reveals it to us. Will we ignore the conviction of sin we feel through his Holy Spirit, or will we honestly confess it and resolve to make a change? When we face a defining moment as the Samaritan woman did, our response determines whether our lives will continue as usual or be dramatically changed to reflect God’s presence.

How do you react when God convicts you of some sinful behavior?