Look at where you slipped
In reading this passage the first thing that comes to mind is an African Proverb that says “Look not at where you fell, but at where you slipped.” The place many of us slip is in believing “its” not that big of a deal. Every moral failure begins with one action. Often that one action in and of itself seems insignificant, not sinful. When we deny those actions we are denying the importance of God’s character shaping us. John is addressing a crowd who is denying their sinfulness. He is helping them see how important self awareness and confession is. When you slip and someone catches you there is minimal pain and recovery but if you slip and no one is around the fall can cause some major and sometimes permanent damage.
