Have
you been studying in the Word and finding flaws in others around you? The word
of God tells us to start with ourselves – examine our own hearts and then we
will see how to deal with others appropriately. 2 Corinthians 9-10 tells us
about many things we need to adjust in our own lives in order to understand, to
encourage and to share Christ with those around us.
So
many times we listen to a sermon and we think of how much we need to help this
or that person with when we forget that we are not there yet.
Sure
maybe we are generous with what we have but maybe we complain when our neighbor
borrows a dozen eggs and never pays us back too? We need to be cheerful in our
giving not begrudging. I had to give myself an attitude check a few times
during the “dramatic arts” season in my house. I love being involved in the
whole process but I also loathe having to do things other people tell me to do,
when they say so. I am stubborn and prideful I am afraid. They say we should
confess our sins, in fact the Word of God says this; confess our sins that we
may be forgiven. The next thing we need to do is change the habit so we don’t
go back to sinning. Remember we are to let go of the past and move on?
Putting
on that old man again is not going to help us achieve the closeness to God that
we long for. My son tried recently to swing across a creek on a hanging branch.
Having done this in other locations he knew how to test the rope twig but miscalculated
his own weight. Yes you guessed it he fell in the muck. As he got home he ran
for a shower to get the muck cleaned off. Now imagine if he put that same
muddy, mucky, stinky pile of clothes back on after cleaning up? That is what it
is like going back to complaining, grumbling or other sins we return to. The
Bible talks about it as a dog returning to their own vomit. Yuck? Yes I would
say so.
When
I have struggled in an area I get quite emotional when I realize I have returned
to it, but then I pray and ask forgiveness and for help to get moving. Today I
stumbled upon the following scriptures and had to crack a smile at the Lord and
His timing.
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of
Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I
write from far away. Well, I am
begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who
think we act from human motives.
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down
the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing
God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you
have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ
must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 2 Corinthians
10:1-8
We
need to work hard to destroy the obstacles that pull us in to complaining,
pride, anger. We can do this by following the three steps below;
1)
Notice
that you have a problem. Yes admit it to ourselves after all sin is not going
away until we confess it to God and we can’t confess what we do not admit. You cannot
bring down a wall you do not admit you have built. What is the thing that
causes you to sin? Get it narrowed down and be truthfully with yourself.
Sometimes it’s a person who gets you complaining
because they complain all the time. If this is the problem avoid them like the
plague. Sometimes it’s another person who causes us to stumble and sin. Other
times it is our own selfish pride standing in the way of our freedom from sin.
2)
Pull
down the stronghold! Ask God for help and put away the problem situation.
Get away from the person, the subject the problem
that causes the sin to grow in your heart and life. Then lay it aside, tear it up, shred it! Get
rid of the idea to sin, as you would change your garments.
3)
Put
on the new man, woman, the garment of praise. Give God the glory for not only
showing you the sin but for getting it out of your life. Shout for joy to the
Lord! Be obedient to follow the Word of God because it is in obedience that we truthfully
worship our Lord. Be honest with God, be honest with Jesus, and be honest with
yourself!
This portion of the scripture really does state my
case:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as
humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly
weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false
arguments. We destroy every
proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious
thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6
Dear
Heavenly Father , we thank you for showing us areas we need to change help us
now to be obedient to change those things and walk in true obedience to You an
Your Word, in Jesus’ name amen.
Suggested
reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 , 2 Corinthians 10:1-18, Hebrews 5:1-14 and 2
Corinthians 11:1-33.