One of the first things I discovered as a new teacher is that when you correct a student for his behavior, he or she almost never takes immediate responsibility. There are usually three different responses you can expect:
Refusing to stop (disobedience)
Blaming someone or something else (irresponsible)
Continuing to the do the opposite of what you said (rebellion)
Stating their inability to control themselves (undisciplined)
As much as each of these disturb me, I can often eradicate the irritation by simply reminding myself that they are children and that their brains are not even fully developed. It helps activate my empathy in the situation. I can understand why it’s so easy for them to respond in these manners because they are not, yet, mature. My mind-boggliness comes from the encounters I have with older adults who seem to struggle with the same issues as those children.
As we mature in Christ, there are some things that should be a part of our growth plan. Controlling ourselves (especially our mouths) should be one of those things. I am always astonished at the number of adults I meet and know who comfortably claim that they can’t do anything about the way they act. Really???!!! You mean to tell the world that, as an adult, you do not possess the ability to stop yourself from saying things that are not fruitful? You mean to tell the world that, as an adult, you don’t have control over the filthy language you use in public? Are you truly saying that you don’t have the capacity to refrain from speaking in a combative tone towards your superiors at work? Is it the case that you don’t have the capability to control your mouth or that you don’t have the desire to control your mouth?
My late grandmother used to always say, “People do what they want to do.” And I believe that to this day. When there is a real desire to control your tongue, your will to do so will anchor you and your words. I’ve heard some people go so far as to ask God to control their tongues for them. Although it’s wise to acknowledge to Him that you know you need to make this change, it’s pointless to rely on Him to do this for you. Many scriptures in the Bible instruct us to bridle our tongues. James 1:26 says, “If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. No matter how spiritual we believe ourselves to be, we could all control our speech more effectively. If this was not possible, as so many of us loosely suggest, then God definitely would not have expected us to do it.
It is best for you to be the guardian of your own self and will. Those who fail to control themselves run the risk of others controlling them. In other words, if you don’t discipline yourself and tell yourself what to do, someone or something else will end up doing it for you. If you fail to control your anger and rebellious nature, at some point a police officer or a prison warden will have to do it for you. If you fail to control the unpleasant attitude attached to the words you use with your parents, friends, superiors, and the community, you can expect to experience many more hardships than God intended for you to have. There’s no way you can continuously be disrespectful with your words, deeds, and attitude and expect to gain favor with God or man. Continuing this way is a sure path to missed opportunities, blessings, favor, and covering.
In the coming weeks, we will look at each of the excuses mentioned in the opening of this post to determine if it is a category in which we could place ourselves. James 1:26 reminds us that we deceive ourselves when we claim Christ but can’t control our mouths.
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