We can’t control circumstances. We can’t control the weather, traffic, prices etc. We also can’t control other people’s actions, words, and thoughts. It appears that we have no control over anything. If you have good actions, words, and thoughts, who makes you do these things?
It is not true that we have no control. You and only you have control of you. You control your actions, words, and thoughts. No matter how much we want to blame someone else for our actions, we must be honest and admit that everything we do is because we have decided that is what we wanted to do at that time. We might be sorry later, but we must be honest with ourselves: no one makes us do something, say something, or think something. We do what we decide to do.
Here are some questions to help you decide.
- Who makes you tell the truth?
- Who makes you tell a lie?
- Who makes you faithful to your spouse or honest in your business dealings?
- Who makes you cheat on your spouse or in your business dealings?
- Who makes you show kindness?
- Who makes you mean?
- Who makes you faithful?
- Who makes you unfaithful?
When you spend time during Bible classes or worship services talking, playing with cell phones, sending or reading text messages, hanging out in the foyer, running back and forth to the bathrooms, going out to the parking lot, going out to talk on our cell phones, you do these types of things because this is what you want to do.
Please realize these things are very disrespectful of the Lord and the people who are trying to worship him. Remember no one controls you but you.
If you are serving the Lord, it is because this is what you have decided to do. No one can make you serve the Lord.
If you are serving the devil, it is because this is what you have decided to do. No one can make you serve the devil.
What will you decide?
Elders in Iuka, MS
via Keltonburg church of Christ
Smithville, TN