Can you think of anyone in your life who always seems to bring out the worst in you? If so, can you remember if your responses to their actions were responses of praise or protests?

I can remember growing-up with an older brother who always, always brought out the worst in me… In my early growing-up years he was my arch enemy! When our parents were away from home we often fought like cats and dogs and my responses to his actions were always of protest, never of praise. In every bloodied campaign my brother came out the victor while I was the victim! 

However, when I was 26, I met someone who was also keen in bringing out the worst in me, but this time my response to this person’s actions were, and are,  of praise, not protest! The person I am referring to is the Lord, Jesus Christ (through the Holy Spirit working in my life).

Since becoming a Christ-believer, the Lord’s exemplary role modelling + the Holy Scriptures + the Holy Spirit have opened my eyes to ‘see’ that no one else but me is responsible for every ounce of wickedness that exists in me… My worst has been there since Day 1 since conception! The Books of Psalm (51:5) and Romans (3:23) made me aware of the following sobering truths… “I was born a sinner”, and… “everyone has sinned”… and, I can’t help my sullied condition.  

Looking back, I should have praised every person in my life whose actions brought to the surface of my life my worst… such actions were permitted by God to make me aware of the wrongs that already existed in me… such wrongs that harmed me and others. The actions of others could only make me aware of the evil that lurked deep within my sin-affected heart.

The Books of Second Timothy (3:16) and Hebrews (4:12) are most insightful in saying…” 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.” ”For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

Friends, who is able to ‘bring to the surface’ of our lives the worst that is in us, leaving us in a cleansed condition? Firstly, the Scriptures help us to see our worst; secondly, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our worst (John 16:7-8); and, thirdly, Jesus cleanses us of our worst (1 John 1:7)… removing the junk from within us and taking it away as far as the east is from the west! That’s why I unashamedly testify that the Holy Spirit has been on the job, bringing out the worst in me for 40+ years! My collaboration with the Holy Trinity every new day is this: Yes, please… Get it all out! If not today…yesterday!

Best wishes, Bill Joukhadar