"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults" (Psalm 19:12)

Did you know that you have sins in your life that you don't know about? Don't worry, everyone does. We all have undetected weaknesses like the earth has undetected faults from which massive quakes erupt. How we respond to these weaknesses is what builds spiritual steel into our lives.

To understand this concept we look at two men in the Bible — David and Joseph. Both men rose from the rank of shepherd to the rank of royalty! Both men found favor in the eyes of God. Both encountered the unexpected temptation of adultery — David with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) and Joseph with Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39).

Through the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit, they learned to rely on the ministry of the Holy Spirit to turn their points of weakness into pillars of strength!


Undetected Weakness
David thought he was strong. He led armies that killed thousands! But even with his skill and soldiers, he had an undetected weakness. In contrast, Joseph knew he wasn't strong. His brothers had sold him into slavery! In his broken weakness, he learned to depend upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
 

Unexpected Temptation
Being tempted was probably the last thing on David's mind when he went to the rooftop for some fresh air. There he saw Bathsheba and listened to his flesh. In contrast, when Potiphar's wife approached Joseph, he immediately recognized the temptation, refused it, and ran! He said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9)."


Unprotected Life
As we look back on David's sin, it wasn't outward protection he needed, it was inward protection. He needed the inward spiritual steel of God's Holy Spirit and Holy Word. Joseph, on the other hand, had taken hold of the power of God. Having been tempered by his struggles as a slave, Joseph became strengthened by God's power to fight Satan's attacks.

The application is clear. We need His spiritual steel to make us inwardly strong against the ploys of Satan. How do we get spiritual steel?

First, we must learn to hear His voice above the roar of Satan who wants to deceive and lure us into sin (1 Peter 5:8-9). Second, we need to listen to the Holy Spirit's call of conviction, cleansing and restoration. After we have heard His voice, we need to heed His call — making every effort to stand firm with His empowering presence in our lives.

He is calling you now through His creation, His Word, and His Spirit. Are you listening? Will you heed the Holy Spirit's call to reveal your weaknesses, anticipate temptation, and protect your life?