“Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” Jms. 1:19
We don’t know how you are doing in this arena, but as we Clearys learn to daily navigate life’s circumstances and relationships in the Spirit vs. our flesh, we have been amazed at how depraved we are at our core. (“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.” Rom.7: 18)
Sure, if we set the bar low and compare ourselves to the obnoxious person we just witnessed at the gas station, we can fool ourselves into thinking that we are doing ok. But in reality, we are simply too chicken or too prideful to confront our “inner jerk”.
God doesn’t grade on a curve.
So, even though we may “feel” like telling the person who just _____ed us, “You sick moron, what kind of slimy fissure did you just emerge from?” … DON’T.
Jesus sets the standard, and the standard is HIGH…perfection in fact. That’s why He gives us His Spirit within us to help transform us from the inside out.
But He also gave us free will. And in the heat of the moment, it’s our choice whether we heed His voice or our emotion.
Challenge: This week when someone frustrates the heck out of us, how will we respond? ~According to the His Spirit or according to our flesh? It’s our choice.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Pet. 1:3-4
God bless us as we struggle together arm in arm! ~Shaun and Betsy
