It’s not always so easy to determine the character of a person. Some can hide their vices from everyone around them, only putting forward their best self in the church or in public. That is why Paul warns us not to be hasty in appointing leaders. Conversely, it is often easy for us to see and determine other peoples sins, to judge them for them. But we are all guilty of sin and we must not pretend that we are good just because our sin may not be as ‘bad’ or as blatant as someone else’s. We should regularly ask God to reveal any sin hidden in our own hearts, even from ourselves. We must acknowledge it and repent of it so that it does not drag behind us like a weight slowing down our ability to run the race God has set before us.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
In the Living Word 