John Ortberg writes that each of us has a “signature sin”—a sin which is unique to us.[i] Just like our fingerprints and signatures are different from other peoples’ fingerprints and signatures, so we each have a pattern of sin which is one of a kind. The temptations that are appealing to me may not be as appealing to you.
This signature sin, Ortberg argues, is directly tied to our signature strength. We each tend to fail in areas that are linked to our gifts and our strengths. For example, those with a gift of service tend to struggle most with the desire to be needed. Those who are strong leaders wrestle more often with the temptation to live for their image. Our greatest weakness is generally attached to our greatest strength.
What’s more, we are often blind to our signature sin. In Ortberg’s words, “There is a me I cannot see.”[ii] What is sometimes painfully obvious to the other people in our life (if we’d just ask them they’d be happy to point out our sin-problem) is often invisible to us.
Confession thus sometimes necessitates the presence of another trusted and caring person. Their seeing eyes can replace our blind eyes. We can ask them to look into our lives and reveal what they witness. They will likely be more able to identify our signature sin than we are.
Who do you pick for such a delicate and potentially frightening mission? Richard Foster writes that while theoretically any Christian can receive the confession of another, realistically not every Christian will have the empathy and understanding needed. Not every Christian will have the ability to keep your confidence. Not all will be wise enough to help you deal constructively with your sin. Thus, Foster, urges, look for people who evidence a deep faith in God’s power to forgive, who are filled with joy, who are spiritually mature, wise, compassionate, have good common sense, and possess a good sense of humor.[iii]
If you already have such a person in your life, take ten minutes today with that person and ask: “What’s my signature sin? What’s my blind spot? What’s the pattern of sin you most often see within me?” Receive the person’s answer with humility and grace. Ask the person to pray for you at that moment, that God’s Spirit might transform that part of you. Leave that conversation with greater humility and compassion, ready to interact with others who wrestle with their own signature sins.
If you don’t have such a person in your life, take ten minutes today to make a list of people who might potentially serve in this way. Pray over the list and ask God for wisdom. Ask him to bring to you someone who might lovingly reveal to you your signature sin.
[i] John Ortberg, The Me I Want to Be (Zondervan, 2010), 146.
[ii] Ibid., 156.
[iii] Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline Revised and Expanded (HarperSanFrancisco, 1978), 153.
[image]
