How should we confront our own faults?

Romans 7:18-23I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

Galatians 5:17The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

We should confront our sinful faults by recognizing that sin is at the root of those faults and the consequent problems that flow out from them.

Psalm 19:12How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

Psalm 44:21God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.

Psalm 90:8You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.

Ecclesiastes 12:14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

1 Corinthians 14:25As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

We should be quick to recognize and admit our sinful faults to God. After all, God already knows our every fault. Trying to hide them from him is pointless and only causes us to distance ourselves from him.

Mark 6:18John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”

Acts 5:3Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.”

Galatians 2:11-12When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.

We must be open to accept godly criticism from others. Even the apostle Peter committed a public error that harmed the community of believers. Fortunately, Peter learned from Paul’s critique, and the church benefitted as a result.

Psalm 51:3-4I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Jonah 1:12“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”

Luke 15:18“I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you.’”

We should accept responsibility and the consequences for our faults; that is the only way to grow beyond them.