“Did you get sunburned?” Eric asked as I passed by his table. He was being kind. Sam asked, “What happened to your face?” I had to admit, the face in the mirror was looking pretty ugly!

Having spent many years outdoors, I am susceptible to developing pre-cancerous cells on my face. Every six months I go to my dermatologist, who takes great delight in frying me like a toad. A few months ago he suggested an ointment to put on my face that would attack those cells. The first four days did nothing, so I’m thinking this might not be so bad after all. By day 10 my entire face had turned bright red as the cells reacted to the ointment.

I’m trying to be cool, but it’s pretty noticeable to anyone coming within 10 feet of me. I’m tempted to put on a ski mask, but that’s not really a viable option.

Scripture tells me that I have another “anointing” that in some respects functions similar to my face ointment. The Apostle John tells us we “have been anointed by the Holy One” (1 John 2:20, ESV). In the Old Testament, the priests were anointed with oil to symbolize their preparation for ministry. “And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him” (Leviticus 8:12). Moving into the New Testament, we are told that we are a priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:5,9) and as such are “anointed” with the Holy Spirit. “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthains 1:21-22).

Jesus tells us how and why the Spirit would come.

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:7-8)

Just as my skin ointment exposes the pre-cancerous cells on my face, the Holy Spirit will penetrate my heart and expose (convict) the sin that lies below the surface. I can speed up the process by cooperating and asking the Holy Spirit to do His work in my life. I like to think I’m good, but Scripture tells me I may be fooling myself.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick [‘wicked,’ KJV]; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)

Just like my ointment attacks the pre-cancerous cells and destroys them, the Holy Spirit reveals my sin and then empowers me to live a sin-free life. The Apostle John tells us “the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Jesus, through the Spirit, will “destroy” the power of sin in my life.

For several years now I’ve been visiting my dermatologist, who finds a few spots here and there and freezes them. This time we’re not messing around; we’re attacking all of the pre-cancerous cells and destroying them.

Why not invite the Holy Spirit to have full access to your heart and let Him destroy the power of sin in your life? Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is saying to you, “Let’s face it together.” Time to look in the mirror, face sin, and ask for the healing balm of the Spirit.

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!