Personal Responsibility

He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

 

We’ve all done our share of blaming someone or something else for our poor choices and crazy decisions. Somehow we find it easy to justify our actions if someone else can be implicated too. Blaming others for our poor choices seems to be an epidemic these days. Court rooms and jail cells are filled with people claiming to be innocent. Not me! I didn’t do it! It’s not my fault!

Some blame childhood issues for poor choices. They would do and be better if only they had grown up in a different home, with different parents, in a different city, or gone to a better school. If only this or that, and I would be a better me. If only…

If life isn’t going according to plan, who can I blame? I’d do better if only my mate were this, if only my job was that, if only I had more money. If only…

The very first example of blaming someone else for our actions was in the Garden of Eden.

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genisis 3:11-13

I remember as a child trying desperately not to get into trouble because I feared the consequences. Out of fear, I learned to blame one of my siblings because even if my transgression was later found out, at least implicating others would buy a little time before punishment. Please raise your virtual hand if you are guilty of this with me.

As an adult, I’ve learned more and more about personal responsibility and how precious and important it is to be honest with others and especially with God. He knows all and sees all anyway, so why even try to fool Him? It seems so silly even as I write this, but we’ve all tried to pull one over on God. It’s our human nature!

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13

God does not expect perfection, but He does expect honesty and integrity. He knows our weaknesses and human nature, but loves us enough to have prepared a plan for our redemption. Jesus, our Redeemer, came to give life everlasting. When we ask, He forgives.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Walking humbly, to this girl’s heart anyway, means to walk in truth. Truth is not always pretty. Sometimes the truth does in fact hurt, but it’s usually only pride that is hurt.

The prideful side of the lack of truth is what makes this all the more silly. We don’t tell the truth, because we don’t want others to think poorly of us. We would rather tell a lie than to face the humiliation of the truth. Huh? Around and around it goes.

When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

I write this today because I’ve seen way too much dishonesty and lack of humility in my short little life. The race for the presidential candidacy is driving some of my emotion over this. What ever happened to guys like Honest Abe and George (I cut down the cherry tree) Washington?

What ever happened to taking pride in ones honor? I give you my word of honor… I long for the days when that was all we needed for a contract. Our word was our bond. To break ones word of honor was shameful, and shame was all we needed to get back on the right track.

I love this quote! “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle. You will notice this is not about perfection, but excellence. Perfection is unachievable this side of heaven, but excellence is an attainable goal.

If from this day on.you ever struggle with truth and blaming others for your transgressions, I ask you to join me in pledging to be a person of total truth, the kind of truth that leads to excellence in character. Being fully honest about our own shortcomings frees us from guilt and shame. I promise this, if you choose a pledge of total truth, you will find enormous peace flowing from God Himself as He washes you clean.

 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

I pledge to be a person of total truth, a person who honors others with enough respect to tell them the truth. I pledge to not dishonor another by implicating them in my failure. I pledge to seek forgiveness of those I have wronged and to receive the forgiveness Jesus so freely gives as I ask to be washed clean.

Father God, I thank You for lessons learned about how valuable my character truly is. Thank You for your Word which leads me always to the love and redemption of the One You sent to cover my sin. Thank You Jesus for washing this girl clean each and every day. I love You more than words can say. In Your matchless name, Amen.

Thoughts? If you have something on your heart that you feel comfortable sharing in a public forum, please share by clicking the comment link below. I’d love to hear from you. ☺

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In His embrace,

Toni

 

 

5 comments to Personal Responsibility

  • ZOE ELMORE  says:

    Toni, Thanks so much for commenting on my latest blog post for Next Step Speaker Services. Please let us know what topics or questions you have on speaking.
    Hugs,
    Zoe Elmore

    • Toni  says:

      Hi Zoe,

      Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my website and for your comment. I so much enjoy the info from Next Step Speaker Services and appreciate your ministry very much! I will be needing your services very soon. Still praying through a few things. But soon.

      May the Lord richly bless you and your ministry!

      Thank you again!

      In His embrace,
      Toni

  • Monica  says:

    I am guilty of this and didn’t really realize it until now, it was so natural to say this was what I did because this is what happend to me or this is what I know is going to happen to me if I walk totally in the truth. GOD knows me and He has called me not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and obeying what HE says,,this is oh so true, no more excuses time to take responsibility and throw pride out the window!!!

    • Toni  says:

      Thank you so much Monica for your honesty and commitment to this. The Lord is doing a mighty work in you. He loves you so very much!!!!
      Praying for you!!!

  • Monica  says:

    I am guilty of this and didn’t really realize it until now, it was so natural to say this was what I did because this is what happend to me or this is what I know is going to happen to me if I walk totally in the truth. GOD knows me and He has called me not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and obeying what HE says,,this is oh so true, no more excuses time to take responsibility and throw pride out the window!!!

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