I’ve often wondered how the other side of life works; contemplating what life would be like for me as a bad boy rather than a goodie-two-shoes. I’ve found myself thinking about being a sinner who sought redemption without a clue where to find it, versus being a sinner covered by unfettered grace.
This mystique of the mind wandering to places it shouldn’t go has placed me into positions where I had a choice between playing out a curiosity and living an integrated life. It didn’t take much effort to realize that the battle between curiosity and integrity takes place on the battlefield within my mind. It is therefore no surprise that Paul encourages us to renew our minds.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
It is all about patterns. What pattern will I live by in my life?
Integrity suggests a pattern with a firm adherence to a code of moral values, while curiosity walks away from the healthy pattern to explore the enticing unknown. The only thing keeping me in check from going astray is the choice residing within my mind.
I’m not too keen on the fact that the choice is solely mine and I alone determine if I sin or not, especially when I’m with a close friend who allows me to make my own decisions. I would prefer to put the blame on my friend in hopes of reducing the intense guilt or shame I feel from the actions marked by my bad choice.
Recently I had an opportunity to sin by exploring something I was tremendously curious about. I knew it was wrong because I could feel it in my soul and I found myself negotiating out loud about the activity in front of my friend. The good news is that my friend didn’t take away my responsibility by trying to convince me what the right decision looked liked. It was all up to me.
It would have been much easier had my friend tried to take on my responsibility in the matter, that way I could have blamed someone else regardless of my choice. I mean think about it, if I chose to sin and felt guilt, I could have blamed my friend for not doing a good enough job of keeping me from making a foolish mistake. And, if I made the right decision and had difficulty living with my uneasy feelings from unmet curiosity, I could have blamed my friend for making me feel bad since my flesh or carnal self would not have been satisfied.
Thankfully my friend left the choice in my mind where the decision needed to be made. Unfortunately, I chose to explore the point of curiosity and found myself burdened with guilt and shame. The positive side to the decision was my friend coming along side of me and reminding me that while my decision was not a good one, I was still a valuable person. My friend was wise to allow me to make my own decision and to stand by me regardless of the outcome, resulting in a deeper friendship.
Had the shoe been on the other foot, I probably would have subtly reminded my friend who he or she was in Christ in order to spark certain thoughts within the battlefield of the mind. In any case, the decision would still belong to my friend and I would stand by to celebrate a right choice or encourage him or her through the ramifications of a bad choice.
As for me, I realize how important it is for my soul to live a life of integrity, staying true to who I am. I have also found that filling my mind with God’s word helps me in the moment of decision when battles ensue within my mind. I will therefore heed Peter’s encouragement:
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13
And of course, I can’t forget our theme verse, which sets my mind on the right path of thinking:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Great companion to "Destined to Sin?" =) Nice work, brother.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that I was referred to read your article. I can't believe that people believed that their only lot in life comes back to what they became a Christian for. What's the point of getting saved? Stay in sin...and justify it in your own ways but don't slap God on that and call it grace.
ReplyDeleteI believe that helped shatter a paradigm I have; thanks big bro.