RIGHT AND WRONG

James 4:17   Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

I want to do what I should do but I don't.  I know what is right but I don't care.  I'm gonna do what I want to do and no one can stop me.  I know it's wrong but who cares, I'm not hurting anyone.   We have all heard these sayings and, to be honest, we have said them.  Alright I will speak for myself, I have said these same words.  For me it's usually when someone tries to tell me what to do or how to do it.  I don't like to be told what to do or how to do it.  After all I know what to do and how to do it.  I'm perfect and I'm always right.  

I remember the time my dad tried to help me with my bowling skills.  To be honest, I sucked at bowling!  It would have helped me if I had listened to my dad and allowed him to teach me, but no!  Not me!  So to this day I still suck at bowling, my dad is in heaven, so I don't chance to learn that from him any longer.  This truly saddens me.  I knew it would be beneficial if I shut up and kept my pride at bay.  I'd probably learn something important.  But no I let my pride and selfishness get in the way.  I was too good to learn a lesson.  I didn't want to admit I was doing things wrong.  I wasn't willing to admit my weaknesses.  My pride and my selfishness got in the way of a lesson learned and because of that I missed out on spending quality time with my dad.

You see, my dad loved to bowl.  He was on 3 different bowling leagues.  He knew what he was talking about.  He knew the right way to throw a ball and the wrong way.  He knew the correct way to handle the ball.  I didn't.  The thing is, I knew it was wrong to ignore his instruction.  I knew it was wrong to continue throwing the ball the way I did, but I did it anyway, just to spite him.  I didn't want to admit he was right.  I didn't want to listen.  I was stubborn, bullheaded and prideful.  How sad it is for me to admit all of this to you.  I still deal with these thoughts of doing what I want to do even though I know it is wrong.  I am human.  

The difference between then and now is Jesus Christ.  When I believed in Jesus, my life changed.  My thoughts began to change. My words began to change.  My TV programs changed.  My music began to change.  My actions began to change.  I have learned that doing my own thing when I know it's wrong, is sin.  Since I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ inside of me and if that statement is true, then doing what I know is sin, is no longer an option for me.  Doing my own thing whether it is wrong or not is not something I wish to do.  Oh I do fail this test occasionally but I realize my sin quicker and ask for forgiveness as soon as I realize.  

To be full of pride is sin!  To be stubborn and bullheaded is sin.  To not be willing to admit you're wrong is sin.   To go ahead and do what we know is wrong is sin.  This is plain and simple!  No doctrine needed!  And as a true believer in Jesus Christ I know it.  The second I do something I knew it was wrong.  I have been instantly convicted by the Holy Spirit many times.  I have heard the whispers;  "You shouldn't have said that."  "Did saying that really make you feel better?"  "Why did you do that?"  "Why didn't you do what I asked you to do?"

Yes, these are ouchy moments that require me to take a good long look in the mirror and let God get really honest with me.  It's not always a good feeling to be honest with ourselves and with God, but I have learned so much about myself and my Almighty Father in Heaven.  I have grown and changed because of my being willing to be convicted and admit my sins.  God has never once condemned me for my sins.  He uses these weaknesses and sins to instruct me to be a better me.  He guides me back onto the path He wants me on.  He forgives me for my sins and failings.  He restores me.

Now I have a tendency to close my eyes in stressful situations.  I close my eyes and pray internally.  "God keep a watch over my mouth.  Let your words, be my words.  Let your actions, be my actions.  Let your love flow from me and keep me in your peace."  Those simple words have prevented me from doing things and saying things I knew were wrong.  Maybe it'll help you too.