Let's Be Honest Part 2

Funny, with last week blog, as I was thinking about how to write what was in my heart, but also be brief and not be confusing (which is not always easy for me), I stumbled into this week’s blog. They’re not closely related other than their both deep heart matters. I think what I’m really trying to get at today is looking closely at what influences our choices.

I don’t even have to ask. We, as people, make all kinds of choices all the time. And as with the nature of choice, we’re presented with options. Situations of choosing between options expose our heart and the conflict in them. Not outward conflict like a disagreement, but an internal pulling. Being conflicted. You see it in something as simple as when someone greets you with a smile and a “Good morning! How are you today?” – this internal reasoning starts: Should I just reply with “Good morning, fine!”, Just smile and say “Hey” or should I tell them of the persistent weight that I’m fighting against in order to try to remain not just pleasant but sane? Conflicted.

This example is about as superficial as I could come up with on short notice. It’s easy and really any choice doesn’t cost much in the bigger scheme of things. You may even be able to find a confidant to help bear your burdens. The real question is, when you’re conflicted, what type of person are you? What do you lean to? Even if you realize that you have a problem with seeking healthy resolve to your inner conflictedness, it’s still conflicting because – then what do you do?

Here’s The Word:

Romans 2:15 ESV They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them

This is a seemingly small verse, but there’s a lot going on here. The law and the “work” of the law are not the same thing. Also, notice the job of the conscience, it bears witness. It kind’ve affirms that the choice rightly aligns with what’s being done as it stems from the knowledge (the law) of right and wrong.

There are so many things that influence our thoughts and the subsequent choices that flow out of them. That’s where the real work is done. The bible talks at length about thoughts: Thoughts of iniquity and vanity. Although for humility sake, we would never categorize our thoughts as perfect, but on the flip-side, we would hardly ever categorize them as bad or vain either. But look inside of yourself, when you’re conflicted, what is the main factor motivating your choices? Is it for conflict avoidance? Is it for as quick and painless a resolve as possible? Is it to promote or establish your authority or control? Maybe, it’s to save face rather than embrace humility as discussed last week.

What does God have to say about the matter?

Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

God knows that with the knowledge of good and evil sown into us at the fall in the garden, that immediately, we became conflicted. Yet, that was never His desire for us. His desire for us is peace. It may seem impossible to not be conflicted. I know it seems far-fetched but faith bridges the gap. I encourage you to trust God and in faith, seek after that transformation that lessens inner conflictedness and brings peace. Once you see the difference, you see that its possible. Once you see what’s possible, the sky is the limit.

Ephesians 4:23 Says “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” To me, this is another mark of a peculiar people, not just nice or pleasant, but established in faith, sealed by the Spirit, dead to the flesh, motivated and directed by the Love of God.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So again, let's be really honest as we examine ourselves and question; Have we given ourselves to God fully, or are we satisfied with something more superficial, and all the while, we're trapped and/or hiding in the torment of a conflicted mind?


In Him,
Cros