30 December 2015 + Love Dare Day 26

Reading & Memorising Scripture

Scripture:

• Philippians 4:8

Observations:

When you're thinking about battling sin, this verse is not often one which comes to mind, but it plays on an idea that's very important.  We cannot focus solely on not sinning, especially when it comes to the mind.

This passage isn't saying "Whatever is false, whatever is dishonourable, whatever is unjust, whatever is defiled, whatever is unlovely, whatever is reprimandible, if there is any failure, if there is anything deplorable, don't think about these things"

No, on the contrary, the passage is telling us to think about things which are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Simply not thinking about sin isn't enough. If we focus completely on not sinning, we lose sight of God and, eventually, will sin. If we focus on God and the things of God, we will find ourselves both moving closer to God and not sinning.

Now, again, it's easier to try and white knuckle sin, to try and discipline ourselves with such great discipline that sin is bound by the same fetters that bound the mythical Fenris wolf. I can vouch first-hand that such strategies can work. I can also vouch that they rob you of your joy and still have the capacity to fail.

In times of temptation, it's not enough to avoid the thought pattern that is presented to us - we will still find backdoor ways to "not think" about the temptation and so, still give in to sin. We need to replace the thoughts. One thing I'd read was a recommendation to pray for those whom you are tempted to think sinfully about. Sometimes, that works, but if you're going in your own strength it's the same as a back door. What Paul is recommending to the Philippians, though this passage is not specifically about sin, is to fill their mind with things of God on the course of seeking righteousness through Christ.

Application:

Let's practice some thought replacement:

• What are the lies being told to me? What are God's truths?
• How am I tempted to think dishonourably? What is the honourable thought?
• Where is the injustice in my thought? What would instead be just?
• What of my thoughts are defiled? What is God's pure intention?
• What of my thoughts are ugly or unlovely? What thoughts would show love?
• What of my thoughts would others reprimand me for? What is the commendable inverse?
• Am I dwelling in my failure? Where has God given me success?
• What am I punishing myself for? Where am I worthy of praise?

I tend to share Augustine's stance that evil is not an entity of itself, but rather the absence, corruption, or lessening of good. Evil is the direct contradiction of what God has established, the twisting and fouling of what God has made, or the exchange of God's perfection, commands, and desires for lesser things.

Simply removing the absences and perversions of good, along with lesser goods leaves behind a void which will be filled most easily by our conditioning, which would then restock the individual with the same or worse evils. Overwriting ourselves to think about Godly things, goodly things, drowns out evil and, when the two strategies are employed together, can serve to uproot and replace the evils we've bought in to.

Now, here's the catch, being by nature imperfect, I cannot provide true Godly substitution. All the goods that I am able to conceive either come from God or are inherently flawed. Chocolate is true, honourable, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy, but if I replace evil with chocolate, then I am still sinning, because I am still resorting to a lesser good than God.

~ ~ ~

The Love Dare

Day 26: Love is Responsible

"We tend to believe that our views are correct, or at least much more correct than our mate’s.  And we don’t believe that anybody, give our same set of circumstances, would act much differently than we have.  As far as we’re concerned, we’re doing the best we can.  And our spouse just ought to be glad we’re as good to them as we are. But love doesn’t pass the blame so easily or justify selfish motives.  Love is not nearly as concerned with its own performance as with other’s needs.  When love takes responsibility for its actions, it’s not to prove how noble you’ve been but rather to admit how much further you have to go. Love doesn’t make excuses.  Love keeps working to make a difference – in you and in your marriage."

It's a wall of text, but it's one I associate with very much. I always have my defense ready, full of ways and reasons to explain and pardon myself from my actions, oftentimes with very little remorse. Love should be less concerned with the appearance of the self and more concerned about the state of the other.

"That’s why the next time you’re in an argument with your spouse, instead of working up your comebacks, stop and see if there’s something worth listening to in what your mate is saying.  What might happen in your relationship if instead of passing blame, you first admitted your own wrongs? ... Love is responsible and is willing to admit and correct its faults and errors up front.  Are you taking responsibility for this person you chose for yourself as the love of your life? ... Are you taking responsibility for your own faults?"

Also true. However, let's note quickly that admitting your own wrongs doesn't get you off the hook. Admitting you were wrong doesn't make the situation better. It just makes you more bearable to the person you hurt.