Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19:12-13)
In his letter to the Romans, Paul, addressing those he said knew the Law, made this statement: “sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members” (Romans 7:5). His point was, when we were inclined to satisfy our flesh, and then God pointed out to us what was right and what was wrong, we were motivated to do what was wrong. However, once born again, we were motivated to do what was right and pleasing to the LORD.
It is with this kind of heart that David ponders whether or not we truly comprehend all of our shortcomings. Even as students of the Word, do we truly understand just how lofty the standards of holiness are? Can we really recognize all the ways in which we come up short? Apparently, David was convinced (as am I) that we cannot discern all our faults — not without the help of the LORD and His Spirit which teaches and guides us. And so David thought it important to acknowledge the probable existence of these secret faults and petition Heaven to help him by cleansing him of these shortcomings.
Likewise, all of us should desire that the LORD would search the depths of our being and help us with the smallest of matters that are contrary to His will. I would argue that this factors greatly in our journey if we wish to be what He has called us to be. David concluded that, with God’s help in the matter, we will be blameless, or in Hebrew, תמים tamim — a word we have discussed before.
I am convinced that the Father will help those whose heart yearns to do what is right to become tamim. Remember, this is what He called Abraham to be; it is what Messiah challenged the rich, young ruler to be. It stands to reason, He lays the same challenge before us. If we ask Him to point out to us those areas of life that need attention, I believe He gladly does so. I’d like to think that it makes Him happy for us to take the initiative to ask for His help with the issues that aren’t so obvious to us or anyone else for that matter. If our habits are purged of even the slightest error, we will be even more inclined to avoid the greater transgressions. If the little foxes spoil the vine, then, with the help from the LORD, let us root out those foxes that the vine might thrive with abundant fruit.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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