My mother used to tell me, "Pretty is as Pretty does." I think she was trying to tell me that it wasn't "pretty" to misbehave. I think I would have been wiser if I had listened!
But, back to the scripture for today... I Cor. 10:3 says, "We live in this world, but we don't act like its people."
Yes, we do live in this world, and too often, we do act like its people. My moments of pride and anger continue to brand me as one of the world's people. Yet, I am a God's person, too. So, how does this work?
I have God within me and I am one of God's Kingdom, one of His children. So, I see my sin, shown to me by the Holy Spirit, and accept my sorrow and shame. I do my best to make amends and hope that I have learned to recognize what tempts me to make this mistake, so I can try not to sin again. I have been instructed by the Holy Spirit to grab for His strength when tempted by something or someone questioning my integrity. This sin points to my pride, and I will need the Holy Spirit again and again, I'm afraid.
In Samuel 10:7, it gives me a picture of God helping Saul as he was sinning against David. God will help me, too, just as He did Saul. The first step for me is to humble myself before God. Secondly, I must trust God to help me. Third, I ask God to help, and finally fourth, believing God can and will help.
God, your people come before you with guilt and shame in the knowledge of our sins of pride. We trust you will help us to make amends and turn from this part of our worldly nature, that we may more faithfully serve you by loving more honestly. Thank you, God. Amen.
Jo INMN
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