Scott > Recent Status Updates

Desires are not always wrong—we all desire love, respect, adequate money to take care of our families. The problem is that our desires become our rights, or so we believe.

‘The course of our lives always travels in one of two directions, either toward wisdom or toward foolishness. The path toward foolishness is easy. All you have to do is follow your desires.’

The truth is that we see someone else’s offenses in high definition and our own through rose-colored glasses. To correct this, Jesus tells us to judge ourselves more rigorously than we judge others. Only then might we get close to what is actually happening.

Sometimes you overlook offenses. Other times you speak about offenses for the good of the relationship and the good of the offending person. Silence with grumbling is easy. Avoidance with resentment is easy, but covering offenses has its challenges. Speaking to the person who sinned is spiritual—you need power that is not your own.

The story of the prodigal son links to humility because receiving God’s compassion requires you to listen to him and believe what he says. You, in turn, give the compassion of Christ as you hold onto the concerns of others and are moved by them.

“Anger reveals the paradox of pride. It feels like power. People notice you for a moment, and you might get your way. No wonder it is so popular. It is the perfect drug for powerless people. It is also slavery to your desires. You don’t have control.”

Confession before God leads to thanks for his free, generous forgiveness, and to rest in what Christ has done. This starts a whole new cycle.

Anger is the emblem of arrogant pride. Its motto is “I want!” Anger is unfamiliar with “your [God’s] will be done” (Matthew 6:10). It can only be countered by those who are willing to “mourn and weep” and “humble yourselves before the Lord” (James 4:9–10). These are ways that the Lord says, “Come and die.” This is the way to true strength—God’s strength.

“Gentleness is strength within wise limits. It prefers careful reflection in the face of provocative acts, rather than reacting on first impulse.”

“Humility is not the path of always getting lower. Instead, it lives dependent on the God of life. Once we get the knack of it, it is natural and good.”