Bible
verses to build your life on
Jesus
said: “…
whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise
man who built his house on the rock…” ~ Matthew 7:24
*** ** ***
CAUGHT!
~ how to avoid that dreadful feeling ~ :) study
October
2010
Hey you! That's right you! Come over
here! We need to talk... *
What went through your mind, when you
read that? What was your first response? :) ~ That's what I'd like to talk
about for a second, but here's a verse on it ~ "But solid food belongs to those
who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil." ~ Hebrews 5:14
***
So, what the point of that mental
'torment'? I was trying to quickly give a visual that would bring back memories
of us getting caught doing something we knew we shouldn't, because I believe
there are some effective ways to reduce those tim...es of feeling 'caught red-handed'.
First, let me start by looking at a
phrase in that verse: "by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil." ~ There is a powerful little nugget, right
there! Don't see it yet? Then, allow me to explain.
We live in America - land of the free,
where we can do just about anything we want, because we're, well, free - free
from enemies and free from conscience (or so we tend to think). But, what does
that freedom to do whatever we want do to us? Well, for one, it causes many to
become used to doing whatever they want (really, it does), and thinking they
have the right (in addition to the ability) to ignore God's Word, their
consciences, and those that God graciously sends their way to prevent them from
literally destroying themselves. Think about this with me for a second: kids
who love candy, and hate hearing that it's bad for them - that's the wrong
response, right? Right. Why is it bad? They are
burning out their systems when they are young, which will make them less useful
for God when they are older, because they will have earned and brought on extra
health troubles, reaping the results later in their life. That's an easy
example to see.
It's sad, but many fellow Americans
seem to flee from accountability likes it's a deadly disease. I understand
that. We all struggle with it. It's a wrong thinking and selfish attitude that
we all need to keep growing in maturity in. But, think about it for a second,
with me, if you will - does it really make sense to run from those who are
trying to graciously stop us from following the world and hurting ourselves?
No, not really. Proverbs 27 says: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the [flattering] kisses
of an enemy are deceitful." (Prov. 27:6)
On a parallel subject, many pastors
(real and 'so-called') in this great country, likewise, run from accountability
and discernment, likes it's a deadly disease. Why do we run from it? Because
when we are knowing walking in darkness and our
conscience is convicting us, it's much easier to run from the light, rather
than to the light. But, which works better - running from God, or to God?
Obviously running to God, and He never turns us away. And Biblical discernment
is something every Christian must study, and every Biblical pastor will gladly
submit to, for that system keeps all of us growing in
holiness, helping us dwell in His presence and making us vessels for our
Master's use.
I do need to stop here, and make one
little clarifying note - not everyone in our lives can be an effective
accountability partner. We should seek out only those who show a pattern of
walking in the Word themselves, and even still there are some things we should
share with no one but God, and our spouse (or future spouse). Btw, spouses make
great accountability partners - it's one-heart, one-mind, for better, for worse
- for life, right?
So, in conclusion, we all need to keep
re-working our rebellious thinking and learning not to run from the light of
God's convicting and piercing Word, but toward It and
learning to embrace it. And, we also all need to keep growing in not running
from those who care about us enough to gently tell us the truth, and rather
re-train ourselves to embrace them as our dearest friends, in this life, and
(most often) the next.
So, caught red-handed or already
confess and growing? :) Are we running from accountability or toward it? - a question that requires constant and consistent growth,
from this writer too.
ttfn,
your growing bro/friend, and a servant/life-slave of Jesus, SH :)