RESTORING INNOCENCE TO MEN
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” – Jesus (Matt 10:16)
In the beginning, God created humanity innocent. Adam and Eve dwelt in perfect union with their Creator, unburdened by shame or guilt. They were “naked and not ashamed,” symbolizing their purity and freedom in God’s presence. However, this innocence was short-lived, as the serpent came and tempted Eve to sin. When sin entered the picture, it robbed humanity of its purity. Sin became the thief that stole our innocence. Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves on themselves and hid from God. Guilt and shame are heavy weights, hindering man’s ability to live freely.
God created man innocent, sin steals our innocence, but Jesus restores our innocence.
Despite our broken and sinful state, Jesus extends an invitation to rediscover innocence. He challenges us to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” emphasizing the need for both discernment and childlike innocence in navigating a world filled with wolves.
When the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”. The Bible tells us that, “He called a little child and had him stand among them. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-3)
We must become like children.
Here’s the reality. The enemy wants to steal our innocence at our inception in order to inform our identities. This is why there is such a large attack on children- it’s been the devil’s tactic from Moses to Jesus and even still today. Do you know that the current age of a male’s first time exposure to pornography is under 10 years old? If you ask any man, most will tell you that as a child their addiction began, or they were exposed to something they shouldn’t have been, or something happened that affected them on a deep level.
Children possess a natural innocence that allows them to be free, joyful, and unencumbered by pretense or guilt. Jesus tells us, that this is the purity we can regain in our relationship with God. We must go back to the place where innocence was stolen and not only will God heal the brokenness, but he will restore the innocence.
There are 2 things I’ve found that rob a man of his innocence- 2 things that hinder God’s process of restoring innocence in a man’s life. SECRET SIN and PRIDE.
Secret sin is like having black mold in the basement.
It starts small but can spread and contaminate our very foundations. It can begin because of a door or window that was opened. Or maybe something got into the basement that shouldn’t have through a crack. Whether self-inflicted or something out of your control, something got in and now your very foundation is tainted. What must you do? Expose the basement and remove the mold. But, it will cost you something. Healing and restoration cost humility, confession, time, energy, and a willingness to seek help. The Bible tells us, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.
Pride is poison.
A proud man cannot be his true pure self. He must be better, bigger, and ‘badder’ than those around him. Pride puffs him up. He publicly lives as the false projected version of himself rather than allowing his true self to come out along with his weaknesses and failures. Pride hides imperfections and pretends they are not there. Pride is delusional. The Bible is clear, “God opposes the proud.” You cannot come near to God and restore your innocence if you are unwilling to be humble and expose your true self.
The solution is humility and radical transparency.
My prayer for you is that Jesus would cleanse you and restore your innocence. You don’t have to live with the weight of guilt and shame. You don’t have to live with a dirty mind. You don’t have to live a hard life with a hard heart. Men, Jesus wants to restore your innocence and make you like a child again.
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life,” Phil. 2:12-16