Accepting Responsibility - pgs 71-73
Realize
1. List some of the excuses you've heard people use to explain their wrong behavior (e.g., "My parents got divorced"; "We never had much money"; "I never felt loved").
2. Obviously, our upbringing and environment have an effect on who we are. However, these factors cannot determine who we are. Negative circumstances don't always mean that a child will turn out badly, nor do positive experiences always mean that a child will turn out good. What do you think makes the difference?
3. Some people live as victims all their lives. What effect does it have on them? Who controls their lives?
Reflect
4. Read Colossians 3:1-17. On the basis of who Christ is and what He has done for us (Colossians 1-2), the apostle Paul tells us that we are responsible to make godly choices in every area of life, including our attitudes, our behavior, and our relationships, What are wen to "put off"? What are we to "put on"?
5. In Galatians 5:22-23, what does Paul promise that the Holy Spirit will help to do in our lives?
Respond
6. In what area(s) of your life have you been blaming your circumstances, your upbringing, or another person for the way you are, rather than assuming personal responsibility? How do you think God wants you to view that struggle? What fruit of the Spirit do you need to help you deal with the issue?
Prayer of the Day
Lord, I agree with You that I am not a helpless victim of my circumstances or my past. I understand that I may not be able to change the circumstances of my life, but, because of what Jesus has done for me and in me, I can control my attitude and my responses. By the power of Your Spirit help me to choose to obey You, to take responsibility for my actions, and to be changed into the image of Christ. Amen.
2 comments:
It is very hard to admit that we have put the blame on others and that our actions and feelings are justified because of our circumstances. But God does give us the grace and does guide us through His Word to be able to rise above the circumstances and the people we feel have put us in that situation and to become productive Christians. No one and no situation is greater than our God if we will only believe in Him and in ourselves.
This lie is so prevalent in today's society. It is so common place that even Christian's today use this lie. It is so much easier on us to not accept the consequences of our actions that we start laying blame on other people or circumstances. Look at Eve, the first thing she did was blame the serpent and the first thing Adam did was blame Eve. No one in the Garden of Eden was willing to take the blame and neither do we sometimes. I have found that it is a pervasive lie. Many times, I have used this lie before I even realize what I've said. Later, when I go back over the conversation, the Lord pricks my heart because of that lie. The only way I know to conquer this lie is to get into God's Word and make it very personal to us. Conquering this lie isn't reading a devotional book or a few chapters in the Bible- it's taking God's Word and making it so personal that we don't breathe without talking to God about what's going on and what we need to say in any situation. That is something I strive for (often fall short but I trust every day).
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