The good and evil battle every day.
Just as there is two sides to every coin, there are two sides to every person. There are things that we berate ourselves over, whenever we fall victim to our own weaknesses. There are things we try to keep suppressed within ourselves, like temper, skepticism, low self-esteem, over indulging in food or drink, etc.… Don’t beat yourself up too much over the side of you that needs work, which is the human part of yourself. Yes, each and every one of us needs to work on one thing or another. Some may have minor things, some may struggle with things that are major, but the struggle is the same, in that, it is our carnal nature that makes it necessary to struggle at all. Even the Apostle Paul said he struggled constantly with some things he should and should not do. (Romans 7) Let’s face it none of us are perfect, or ever will be! That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try each and every day of our lives to improve on ourselves! We can do it, for God had given us grace over will, and against him, nothing can stand.
This is the perfect season to improve upon ourselves by getting out of our comfort zone and give to others. Some may say there is a time factor which prohibits them from doing what they would like to do. (Sounds like Paul) But every one has the time to take a gift tag of a Christmas tree and supply something for a needy person. Or while you are out shopping for you and your family, drop something in a food drive box or a toys for tot’s basket, or the Salvation Army’s bucket. You don’t have to spend enormous amounts of money. Just do something to improve yourself, and your attitude toward others. If money is an issue, volunteer at a soup kitchen, even get the whole family involved.
Let’s make this time of year, a time to better ourselves and the world around us. It is a win, win situation.
As parents we need to teach our children how to identify their own weaknesses, and through prayer, not berating, but help them improve. Don’t let them get consumed with greed, when they see all the things they find beguiling on TV. Set boundaries and parameters for sake of your children’s well-being.
We as authors really have the opportunity to bring out the best in our characters. I hope this comes from self-examination, and the improvements we are constantly making on ourselves.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:13-14
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:23-25
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:10
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jerimiah 17:9