Contradictions

How many Christians live a life of contradiction? They say they believe the Bible, but what comes out their mouth completely contradicts that statement. And of course, their attitude and actions don’t correspond with it either. Perhaps, part of this comes from not really knowing what the Word says, which means some inconsistencies are the result of ignorance. On the other hand, some of them may not be all in. They haven’t fully embraced what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Everyone has hypocritical moments -at least from a surface view. A flip side to all this is they may have a greater need of a complete mind renovation than a need for a full heart conversion. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Eliminate the contradictions, and life takes on a whole new meaning. Here’s just a small sample of opposing statements and actions. The Bible clearly says Jesus heals. Some will even quote, “By Whose stripe ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24), or “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18), and so on. Yet, the same individuals still own “their sickness,” which completely opposes the Word: “My allergies”; “my arthritis”; “my _”, you fill in the blank. What would happen if they simply believed the Word of God and spoke it over themselves? After all, Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). Of course, they may want to hang on to it for whatever reason. Who knows, maybe they feel it’s the only way they can get attention, or excuse themselves from doing things they don’t want to do.

What’s a little interesting is when a believer says, “I will treat others well as long as they treat me well.” Some go a step farther and talk about retaliation should someone mistreat them. How does that square with, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21 [see also Matthew 5:44-45])? That attitude ought to reveal the love of God and win people over to Christ!

Why do people belittle themselves? Why do they call themselves unworthy? How does that agree with Scripture? Study this out for yourself. How does God see you? What’s more, whose opinion do you value the most, peoples’ or God’s? If Jesus is worthy, if you are in Him and He lives in you, doesn’t the make you worthy? Shuffling around with a slouch, head down and saying you’re not worthy does not exactly glorify God. Contradicting Him never did!

Okay, one more: “I can’t do that!” Look, you can do what God says you can do. Now if you don’t want to do whatever “that” might be, that is another issue.

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