My mom and I had this conversation one night. She asked me why other believers still do things that will not please God. She told me the dismay she felt on people who attend church services and who share the words of God who still let their pride and immodesty override. Well, why do we, believers, still go against God’s ways?
We all fall short with sin, and even if we try to constantly try to change ourselves, there are times we can’t resist the temptation. In my observation, there are three main reasons why we still disobey and hurt God – ignorance, pride, and concealment.
Ignorance. There is part of our lives we haven’t changed because we are still ignorant about God’s perspective on it. Sometimes the people who surround us also lacks that wisdom that is why we don’t seem to change. At times it becomes normal and common with us because everyone seems to do it. Thus, asking for God’s advice and even our pastors’ and youth leaders’ are important.
Pride. Sometimes, we also want to do things are way because God’s seems to vague and difficult for us. That pride also overrides our rationality. Maybe we have grudge on that person and we don’t want to humble ourselves. Maybe we were hurt and misunderstood before so we shut our doors to others – wanting nothing from them.
Concealment. These are the things, habits, or attributes we refuse to talk about. We feel anxious and uneasy sharing our issues and problems because we feel that others will judge us. We are afraid that they point it out more rather than helping us withdraw or recover from it. Besides, what we keep in the dark grows in the dark. God asks us to shed light on things, especially on those that bother us, so that we could straighten them up.
But I guess, besides from the three given reasons, there could be another answer for our stubborn regression to sin – weakness. At some point of our lives and choices, we are weak at some areas. We are continuously learning and being transformed to become like Christ, and on times we show a character less like Christ, it is because we haven’t let God control that area of our lives. Maybe you have an unresolved relationship with a friend or family member, complicated life pattern, stressful school, or dire financial – sometimes it all comes because you haven’t entrusted it on God’s hands.
What are the things you have been dealing with lately? Or things you’ve been trying to avoid? Share it with us or to your friends so that we can pray for one another.
Our weaknesses is one of the best sacrifice we could offer to God. Our broken spirit and contrite are sacrifices God will never despise, for as we show and admit our weakness, God transpires stronger within us. So on times you think about the persons you want to give up on or on times you want to give up on changing yourself, remember that it is better to give it up or surrender to our God.
Psalm 51:17
Article by Chlarissa Mae
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