Sometimes trying to recognize sin in our own lives is like trying to push a bus while you are sitting on it. It is very difficult. I am amazed at how deceptive our hearts can really be…. to us! I guess that is what Jeremiah was talking about in 17:9 … ”The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” Who can understand it? I stay baffled at how sinful I can be sometimes. But what baffles me even more is how easily I convince myself of my own righteousness even in the middle of sinning.
I can’t give you too much light on who to overcome this in your life, but here is one piece of advice I am learning to live by. Ask yourself if your behavior is consistent with your understanding of the character of God. Is what I am feeling, is what I am doing, is what I am thinking consistent with my understanding of God’s character?
If I am fearful… is it consistent with who I understand God to be? ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10
If I am anxious…is it consistent with who I understand God to be? Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
If I am lustful…. is it consistent with who I understand God to be? but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt 5:28
These are just a few common feelings that you and I have. You see our problem is not that we don’t know how to respond righteously. It is that we simply do not want to. When we don’t want to, we build an entire structure to support our fearful, anxious, lustful feelings.
My dear brothers and sisters. Let’s stop living lives with only half of our hearts committed to Christ Jesus. Let’s decide as an act of our will to allow Christ to live out His will and his strength and His love fully in and through us. I can promise you one thing. You will begin to enjoy a fullness to your lives that you never experienced before.
