Denial is like blindness. The reality will be right in front of a person`s face but because of denial, the person cannot see past what they believe is 'true' for them. Talk about how one turns out in life and the person always tries to blame their circumstances of how they have turned out in life on their parents, siblings, an authority figure or even friends. A good example is the Pharisees;
Jesus said a “For judgment, I have come into this world so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." (John 9:39-41)
These characters ‘Pharisees’ did not perceive they were spiritually blind as they could not even understand what spiritual insight was. They thought that by their practicing of the law meant that they were spiritual and so they did not find it acceptable according to the law of Moses that Jesus could do things on a Sabbath.
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath” (John 9:16).
Many times when people are in denial, they are under the control of the fear of dealing with reality. Some could be avoiding responsibility, reconciliation, or whatever it is they are facing, the list can go on and on.
When one remains in that state of denial, they do not make progress but remain in stagnation.
As a young girl I used to always avoid giving my life to God. I had heard through so many people and media channels that Jesus is coming soon and I would add another year to my life and still say next time I will give my life to Christ but I did not. I thought that with my parents being Christians and my attendance to church and being involved in ministry, meant I was covered, that I was in good hands but no. I got myself involved in a lifestyle that was ungodly and it got to a point where I felt this guilt in me that if I do not stop, my life will surely be lost.
Growing up in a Christian family, my mum would tell us stories about rapture and that would scare me out as a kid, she would then talk about those who have knowledge of God and still lived in their sin will be judged on the last day because they knew the truth but still chose to live in sin.
“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”(John 12:47-48).
These words spoke to me in ways that only one who is convicted of their sin will understand. So I then made the decision and repented of my sins and asked God for His forgiveness. Thanks to the saving grace of Jesus Christ now I sing a different tune.
Denial is a condition to be rejected, cancelled and never to be allowed in our lives.
When we think we are something we are not and refuse to accept the truth we are in denial. I believe the Pharisees were in denial of their identity as they became too religious and could only believe what the law said even when the prophesied Messiah came they could not recognize Him.
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”(John 1:10-13)
Today as you are reading this and you may be having denial in your life or you know someone who is in denial, I just want to encourage, that you are not alone, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) .This friend is Jesus Christ and is always waiting for us to call out to Him, for us to shut down the noise around and in us and just talk to Him as well as listen to Him. Ask Him with a sincere heart to help you deal with your denial; you will be surprised what prayer can do if done in faith.
If for any reason you have been in a situation like mine where you are not decided on when to give your life to Christ, do not wait too long as every case is different, you may not have long to go as no one knows when death knocks on their door. It is simple and there are no rituals to it, just speak to Jesus Christ as you would a friend and ask for His forgiveness, welcome Him in Your life and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. If you have backslidden ask Him for forgiveness too, the living God is always ready to welcome a repentant heart.
“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17).
Make the decision wisely it will give you everything in life that surpasses your imagination and you will not regret it.
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