The Bible says, “Be you therefore perfect” (Matthew 5:48), and “go on to perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). We must be striving to become like God, having His character, overcoming faults and shortcomings, learning to be and think like Him. But, all too often, we read those verses and misunderstand them.
They should not make us afraid of making mistakes. Especially for young people, fear of making mistakes is what, all too often, holds people back from developing their whole potential and learning new skills. What about you? Have you ever held yourself back from trying something new, because you were afraid you would make a mistake, look silly, sound stupid?
Two Types of Mistakes
Do not get me wrong—there are some mistakes you should NEVER make. We just need to differentiate between the two: (1) SKILL MISTAKES, and (2) MORAL MISTAKES.
What is a skill mistake? It is simply the mistakes we make when we are learning how to do something. Ask anyone who plays a musical instrument if they have ever played a wrong note. Ask any athlete if they have ever struck out, or missed a layup. Even the Michael Jordans and Babe Ruths sometimes make mistakes—it is part of the game. And it is especially true when we are first learning the skill.
What new skills have you wanted to learn, but were too afraid to try? Was it because you were afraid of making a mistake? Whether it is a baby learning to walk, a student learning to speak a foreign language, or a Spokesman Club participant learning the art of public speaking, new skills take practice! And until the skill becomes second nature, we make mistakes. Mistakes are part of the learning process. When we make mistakes, we go back and try again, to correct that mistake.
Does this mean “moral” mistakes are good? Absolutely not! Moral mistakes—having to do with breaking God’s Laws—should be avoided at ALL TIMES. With moral mistakes, there is sin involved. And with sin there are always consequences. It is not a sin to hit your thumb with a hammer when driving nails—but it IS a sin to curse when you hit your thumb with the hammer!
Some moral mistakes include lying, stealing, and hurting your body with drugs, lusting after someone, fornication, envying, having pride, and coveting.
Some moral mistakes are listed in Galatians 5:19–21. They are moral mistakes, because they are the breaking of God’s laws. They will keep us out of God’s Kingdom. The difference is important to understand.
Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears
Whenever you are learning a new skill—be it a math problem, calligraphy, or playing a musical instrument, you are bound to make mistakes. Language teachers will tell you persons willing to try, even though they make mistakes, will learn more quickly. A person who does not risk making a mistake will never really learn the language.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got, as a teenage musician, was “don’t be afraid of making a mistake!” In other words, go ahead and try your best. If you make a mistake, the worse that can happen is it is pointed out to you so you can correct it. I can remember other players who were so afraid to make a mistake that you could barely hear them playing their instrument! They were cowering behind their music stands, terrified that someone would hear them make a mistake! But those kinds of musicians never really progressed because the instructor could not hear them enough to help them.
Do not be afraid of making a mistake, looking foolish or saying the wrong thing! Fears of failure, fears that our peers will laugh at us, and fears that we will look silly keep us from developing our personality and potential. Proverbs 29:25 says: “The fear of man bringeth a snare. But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (KJV). It is easier to make a mistake now (whatever age you are) and learn how to do it, than to hide the fact and have to learn later. Imagine if it is embarrassing to learn to ride a bike at five, how much more embarrassing it will be to wait and learn when you are 35!
But notice, once again, the point is not having free rein to commit all the sins we want. Solomon contrasted having fear in man with trust (and obedience) in God. Exodus 18:21 says that future leaders should be people who “fear God.” Philippians 2:12 says: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” God wants us to fear the consequences of sinning. He wants us to be afraid of breaking His Laws, even when there is no one around to catch us.
There is a natural fear of falling off a cliff or running out into a busy intersection. That is healthy fear—it keeps us from making LIFE-THREATENING mistakes, like walking too close to the edge of the cliff, or running in traffic.
Moral mistakes must ALWAYS be avoided. They carry lifetime consequences. But skill mistakes are a part of life. Be bold! Do not be afraid! Now is the time to throw yourself into as many opportunities as you can. It will make your life more interesting, more exhilarating, and more fun.
(Reprinted from April-June 1999 issue of LCG Philippines Newsletter, “Around the Islands”).