Why you should do better when you know better

There comes a point when God opens our eyes. God is light and He does not want His children to be in darkness. He opens our spiritual eyes when we develop a relationship with Him. He opens our eyes to whom we truly are and to whom others truly are. He also opens our eyes concerning our circumstances, and also we get to know our purpose.

Without knowing it, we walk most of our lives blind; we do not know ourselves, we do not know who others are beyond their physical appearance, we do not know why our circumstances are the way they are, and we do not understand events that are happening all around us.

When we have no understanding, we develop pride and arrogance as a coping mechanism. We start explaining away everything. We come up with all sorts of reasons why we are the way we are, why others are the way they are, and why things are the way they are. We have an answer for everything. However, the surprising thing is, the answers and opinions are as diverse as there are people.

We have become a people of judging each other; everything has become a subject to be put under the judgement seat of humans. We judge the way people look, their appearance, their dressing, how they walk, what they say, how they say it, we judge when a person talks, we judge when a person does not talk. Anything and everything has become a subject of human judgement.

We get to a point where we do not know who to trust. We do not understand whether people ask something in order to get a better understanding or they ask so that they can judge us and use what we say or do against us.

Then, when others are not judging us or even in the midst of others’ judgment, we judge ourselves. We wonder – are we good enough, do we look good enough, do we fit in good enough, are our careers or jobs good enough, do people like us, what is wrong with us if people do not like us? The world is really full of chaos and turmoil. If it is not outer turmoil, it is inner turmoil or both. With so much happening, how do we become grounded? How do we get to be who we really are and who God desires us to be?

We get so focused on what other people think about us that we get lost in the process. We want to fit in so much. We start looking for validation, whether consciously or subconsciously. We start doing things to avoid other people’s judgement or so that others can like us.

How can we be who God desires us to be when we are busy trying to be someone else? What makes us want to fit in so much? What are we really trying to fit into? What makes us think what we know is wrong? What makes us think what others say or do is the right thing? Where then do we find the truth? The truth is only found in God; God’s Word is truth.

God does open our eyes. He leads us into the right path. He shows us who we really are. Through the Holy Spirit, He convicts us of things that we need to change in our lives. He convicts us of what we need to let go of. He opens our eyes concerning those around us. He does indeed direct our paths.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The Word of God contains all that we need to know. Knowing what to do is not enough, we have to actually do it. When we know better, we do better; we have to put into practice what we know. Any knowledge we have that we do not utilize does not help us or other people. We may know a lot but still remain the same. A seed has to be sowed for it to germinate and eventually bear fruit.

When we know the truth, we begin to see people as they really are and at the same time, we do not allow others to attack us with lies. We do not allow other people to define us. We know who we are and therefore we can stand firm. We do not allow people to attack us with lies or half-truths. We do not allow abuse. Yes, we accept correction, but we know the difference between correction, personal opinions, and attacks that are meant to breed hatred. We take what is good and edifying.

In the same manner, we respect other people. We allow them to be themselves; yes, we voice out our opinions, we correct them in love, but still, allow them to be. We approach each other the right way. We do not abuse each other, we do not hate each other, we do not get jealous of each other. We know who we are and walk in accordance with God’s Word.

Jesus knew who He was and He walked that way up to His death and resurrection. He did not allow those who were against Him to define Him. He is the Son of God. He knew His purpose. He went on to complete His purpose on earth and now seats at the right hand side of the Father. Jesus revealed to us the secrets of the kingdom. In the same way, God empowers us in our walk of faith. His Word is full of instructions and promises.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6.

We are supposed to not only hear God’s Word, we are to put into practice what God says.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24.

When we do, our thoughts change, our actions change, and our life changes. Pride makes us judge other people unrighteously. We cannot walk with God and be proud. God gives us wisdom.

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16.

We walk in humility, we do not consider ourselves better than others, neither do we allow others to mistreat us. We know we are equal in the eyes of God, yet, at the same time, we are different. We are not superior to others, we are just different. We are to be considerate as we interact with each other and we are to do unto others what we would like done to us.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17.

When we are humble, we are able to accept correction. The Bible tells us where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. We cannot hear what other people are telling us if we are full of ourselves; full of pride. Humility enables us to accept when we are at fault; we take responsibility when we hurt other people. As much as we can and as much as possible, we are to make amends.

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Proverbs 19:20.

We are to seek and we will find.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:6-7.

When we get an understanding of God’s ways, He gives us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We become free.

Blessings.

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