The Fool Defending the Grave of a Dead Man,

How much of a fool would I look like if I was seen sitting on the grave of a dead man with a weapon in hand, and was claiming, with unflinching determination to defend the dead man with all my concerted energies?

Would I not then look like a man gone mad? Of course I would. Because dead men need no defending, they're already dead. The worst thing that can ever actually happen to them, mortally speaking, has already happened (die).

I reflect on this when I consider my own passionate and fleshly desire to so-often defend myself.

Whether it be defending myself against false accusations, defamation or something silly like having a dispute with my wife and being oh-so determined to be right, simply because I am addicted to being RIGHT.

So who am I defending? Well a dead man of course!

• Am I not dead in Christ?
• Am I not dead to the world and it's foolish, empty accusations?
• Am I not dead to the lusts of the flesh?
• Am I not dead to the inner pride that demands to be defended?
• Am I not dead, and have my life hidden with Christ in God?

Col 3:3 "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

So often I'm just no,t and I desire true and thorough repentance for being a mad man, sitting on the grave of a dead man, determined to be his defence.

Sure there are times when defending oneself is necessary and even helpful to others, but for me it's deeper then that and if I just relied upon that excuse every time I wanted to justify myself in my defence I know I was being hypocritical. My defence stems right from the root of my fleshly heart, which demands to be right and seen as right for all to notice.

Please help me Lord?

God bless you & thanks for reading this small confession.

Craig Ireland