APPLY SCRIPTURE
I wanted to chuck something at them. Wait, a little context might help: Kids school concert + people on stage giving it all they got + a few middle school boys on the front row being a distraction. I’m a couple rows back, resisting the urge to yank their chairs out from under them (figured that’d be an even bigger distraction). I eventually scooted up and whispered, with the angry eyes: “Knock. It. Off.” Now, these are solid boys whom I know fairly well. Yet, their behavior wasn’t the best that night. Behavior. We often get focused on that, don’t we? I enjoyed the book True Spirituality: Becoming a Romans 12 Christian, by Chip Ingram. About behavior he said, “There are far too many people who are stuck in cycles of sin…because they think the issue is their actual behavior. Behavior is almost always only the symptom. The real issue is far deeper.” What issues were driving the behavior of this motley crew? Insecurity? A need for attention? Lack of awareness? In Titus 2:12, Paul says the grace of God helps us “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Maybe, to address our own behavior, we should look under the surface for issues like ungodliness and worldly passions? Are those closer to the heart of the matter?
LATEST ARTICLE
Powerful Bible Verses About Fathers Love: As if being a dad wasn’t hard enough, Christian fathers often get caught in the trap of comparing themselves to God, the greatest and most perfect Father imaginable. Truth is, you will never measure up to that standard; but the good news is, He doesn’t expect that from you. Instead, He filled His Word with great fatherhood images that can help you become the best dad possible. These Bible verses about a father’s love will give you a glimpse of how God feels about you and how you can pour love into your kids each and every day.
NEWEST PODCAST
Men in the Arena: An Interview with Jim Ramos: Fatherhood is an ongoing battle, and no one understands that better than author and speaker Jim Ramos. For more than a decade, Jim and his organization, Men in the Arena, have been challenging and encouraging men to become the best versions of themselves for God’s glory. In today’s episode, Jim will share some of what he’s learned over the years, including practical tips for passing wisdom along to your kids.
GAIN INSIGHT
“The human heart must have satisfaction, but there is only one Being who can satisfy the last abyss of the human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”
– Oswald Chambers
“The heart of the Christian faith is good news, not good advice, good technique, or good behavior.”
– Tullian Tchividjian
“Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.”
– George Mueller
TAKE ACTION
| Dig deeper. You may struggle with a behavior pattern you’d like to change. Maybe your kids to doo. And sure, let’s keep on striving to have Christlike behavior. We’re told to walk worthy, love others, be generous. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit to have honorable and kindhearted behavior. As we do that, let’s also keep rooting around to see what issues may lurk under the surface. Fear. Pride. Anxiety. Lust. Confusion. Anger. Resentment. Often, our behavior is a beacon, pointing us to the real issue. Let’s take some time this week and listen to that still small voice. |
Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, co-founder of Manhood Journey
P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.
Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.
