We all make mistakes. I have made many (as in, beyond count) in my lifetime. And while I’m thankful for grace and forgiveness, I sometimes have a hard time letting myself off the hook. Because some of those mistakes I still find myself making. As I attempt to walk victoriously with Christ, I’d be a fool not to notice all the times I stumble and make poor decisions about what I say, how I act or what I think about.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17
As a mother to two curious, energetic boys, I see the importance of shepherding their hearts early on to help them know how to walk wisely. I see the mistakes they make now and try to put them in kingdom perspective, though that can be difficult when the issue is flatulence-talk in their church classes. They ask a lot of questions, and I try to give them honest, God-centered answers. “Because I said so” won’t cut it when they’re facing a crossroads in their walk and don’t know how to decide between right and wrong. “Why can’t we make arm-farts during Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s house?” “Why do people say bad words?” “Why can’t I say those words?”
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” -Ephesians 4:29
For now, we are mostly dealing with innocent questions, part of figuring out how to live life as single-digit boys. But they are a good opportunity to remind them about how our actions can either bring God glory, or show ourselves as fools. Do we glorify God when we smash our brother’s Lego creation? Does it glorify God when someone throws their glove into the dirt because someone hit their pitch? How about when we talk about others behind their backs? Perhaps we should think about what we post on Facebook, or the time we spend there instead of with Him. These are real, everyday opportunities for us to make a choice. We get to choose if our actions glorify God or advertise our foolishness.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31
So that has become our standard. When choosing to do something…word, deed or even thought…Does it glorify God? Would you do it if He were watching? Because He is. In thinking about that, we endeavor to take the word, deed or thought captive and make it obedient to what Christ would have us do and what would bring God glory (2 Corinthians 10:5).
To be real, we aren’t pros yet, and probably will never be. Let’s face it, I have boys…the obsession with flatulence and its resulting giggles will always be a struggle at my house, at church or anywhere else. But as we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, our desire is to bring Him glory with all that we do. If it doesn’t, we need to think twice. At this point, my focus is on getting my boys to desire to think just once. It’s a slow road, friends. Luckily, we have the gas to get there.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” -Colossians 3:17
