Burying our heads

If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. – Galatians 6:1

Contrary to common belief, the ostrich does not bury its head in the sand to ignore danger. An ostrich can ran at a speed of 45 miles per hour, kick powerfully, and peck aggressively with its beak. As the largest and fastest bird in the world, it doesn’t need to bury its head.

"Burying your head in the sand" is a saying that describes someone who wants to ignore his shortcomings or those of others. The prophet Nathan did not allow King David to forget his sins of adultery and murder (2 Cam. 12:1-14). It took a brave man to confront a king about his errors. Yet Nathan was obedient to God and wise in his approach.

The apostle Paul urged the early church to confront sin. He said, "If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1). We are to confront our brothers and sisters in Christ about their sin with the view of restoring them to fellowship with God. We must also recognize that we are not immune to the same temptations.

We shouldn’t go looking for sin in the lives of other believers, of course. But neither should we bury our head in the sand when it needs to be confronted. – Albert Lee

Father, help me live today
With thoughtfulness in what I say,
Confronting wrong with truth and fact,
Expressing gentleness and tact. – Hess

READ: 2 Samuel 12:1-14

Slander seeks to destroy; rebuke seeks to restore.

The Bible in one year:

• Genesis 23-24
• Matthew 7