I was having a conversation a few weeks ago with a friend about the difference between "common sense" and "spiritual sense." Maybe a better way to lay this out for this blog post would be "non-christian sense" versus "christian sense."
For example, Matthew chapter 5 says "If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and give him your left." and "If someone wants your shirt, give him your coat also." I would say this is sound "christian sense." Now, this goes against almost everything inside of me. If someone slapped me on my right cheek I'm pretty sure the last thing I would do is give them my left cheek to slap, especially if they slapped me in front of other people.
Nobody wants to feel disrespected. I think it is our natural self-arrogance which makes us lash out when we feel we've been disrespected or rejected by someone. For example, I have recently heard some unfortunate things which have been said about me from someone I know. My first response? Go to the mattresses. Instead of just taking it for what it is, which is nonsense, I retaliate. It's an immature response and the furthest thing from "christian sense."
I've been thinking lately about how drastically we all change from the moment of birth. The book of Jeremiah says "Before you were in your mothers womb, I knew you." It also says "I have plans for your life. Plans for greatness and not for destruction." I believe we're all created or born into perfection. In other words, when we are conceived there are Godly principals and characteristics placed inside our lives, inside our DNA. When we are born we have the desire to grow up and serve Him. Essentially we are born with the belief that He is true and what He says is best. So what happens to us that makes us live and make decisions which are contrary to the Bible? Life happens. Everything we see, feel, and experience forces us to believe one thing or another. Those beliefs we create through our experience's become the determining factors in how we live our lives.
John's parents divorced when he was a teenager. His mother had been cheating on her husband with another man for the last year of their marriage. John's father was a good guy, he took care of the family, respected and loved his wife and yet John's mother still felt the need to sleep with another man and leave her family. Because of this experience John grew older and believed if he were to get married his wife would do the same thing. John never respected women, he never trusted women, he never had a relationship which lasted longer than 6 months. In John's mind every woman was a liar and if he got close to a woman she would eventually leave him for someone else. He believed all women were liars and dishonest. The experience of his parents divorcing changed John's beliefs on women, on life, on love, and on marriage.
John didn't randomly decide one day that all women were liars. John didn't decide one day that if he got married or got too close to someone that the person or his wife would leave him. John made these determinations based on a negative experience. Because John didn't handle this unfortunate experience properly, by forgiving his mother, he created a false belief that he began living his life by. See, unless we take these negative experiences from our lives and crucify them on the cross of calvary by forgiving the people involved and moving forward, we'll forever live in that dysfunction.
Test what I've just said. Consider some of the beliefs you have for your life. If they don't align with the Word of God I'll guarantee you can trace them back to a negative experience in your life when you began thinking and feeling this way.
John's "non-christian sense" or his "common sense" said "based on my experiences, all women are liars and if I get too close to a woman romantically she'll eventually leave me." Where "christian sense" would say "It's devastating what happened to my mother and father. I won't allow this bad experience to change who I am and force me down a path I shouldn't be walking down."
Just like there was a one time event or experience that changed our thinking and believing in the beginning, there also needs to be a one time event or experience that forces us to change our thinking and get back to the Word of God. John's one time event which made him stop trusting women was his parents divorce.
I guess my point in today's post is this. God created you. He created you in His image. He created you with His DNA. By believing something contrary to what the Bible says is true for your life you're settling for second best. By following what you think is "common sense" you're choosing to live a life which will constantly be behind the 8 ball.
Follow His ways for your life. Don't allow negative past experiences to drag your life through the mud of unforgiveness, hate, bitterness, shame, rejection and fear. Choose to forgive and live a life of awesomeness.
Cheers,
Anthony, Baby Jesus, Tringale.
*BTW. The picture has almost nothing to do with this blog. I just thought it was really funny.
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