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“The instant we knowingly compromise our character, a change takes place deep inside us.”

A thought by Andy Stanley, (2009-01-21) from his book, Louder Than Words: The Power of Uncompromised Living (Kindle Location 497). The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

You have experienced that haven’t you?  Andy says, “In that moment we become keenly aware of a disparity between God’s standard and the one we are living out. We are filled with a gnawing sense of unworthiness, and we feel distanced from Him. We call this feeling guilt.”  And that guilt affects my relationship with God.

I know that God hates pride.  I just was at Whole Foods Market and I put the checker on the spot on something that I thought she had done wrong.  As I was walking out I had this feeling inside that I had mishandled that.  I saw that my pride had reared its ugly head and that it had the potential to hurt my relationship with God. 

Now I could have just ignored the feeling and rationalized that she was trying to jip me out of some of my money and that I had the right to stand up against wrong.  And I understand the need for justice but I also know the real problem of pride.  How dare she do that to ME!  And that is not pleasing to God and that is not what a man with character would do.  And I knew that it would eventually hurt my relationship with Him.

My problem is I have to decide on being a person with character who has a clear relationship with God or a person with rights.

Now as Andy says, “To avoid the pursuit of character is to jeopardize one’s walk with God. If the development of character is not an intentional pursuit for you, it should come as no surprise that God seems distant and uninterested.”

Now He isn’t but it does damage our relationship with Him and it needs to be taken care of. There needs to be a place for confession and asking for forgiveness and then not doing it again.  It can get to the place where it does sever our relationship with Him.  It is that important.

So confession was in order for me so that I would have that clear channel to the One I love.  And of course then striving to not do it again.  I want to be a man who loves people and is not hard or judgmental on them.  And the Enemy knows my weakness and constantly puts situations in my path that will hurt my relationship and fellowship with God.

So what is the weak link in your character that damages your relationship with God? 

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  1. ValentineDecember 22, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    Boy, I really appreciate what you've shared, here. I can relate to it 100%, and I am so grateful to have a patient and forgiving God who strives to keep me from being a complete jerk!

    ReplyDelete

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