If you listen to those around us, we should be aggrieved over everything. We live the land of the oppressed and oppressors. In fact, the more victim levels you have, the more valuable your opinion is and more street credit you hold. The culture values others’ opinions based upon how many layers of oppression you can claim. In opposition to this mindset, let me ask, Which is your biggest problem? Here are your two options: that which is done to you or that which is within you?
Which is your biggest problem?
Generally, the culture believes that what is the greater problem is what is done to you rather than that which is within you. Various reasons for this about; however, none greater than mere depravity. People often look for others to blame and others to share responsibility when things go wrong. Very few in society generally willingly accept or take responsibility for a bad decision, poor wisdom, or outright sin. Instead, just like Adam and Eve of very old, we look for someone or something else to blame. In the original sin, Adam and Eve both immediately blamed another while denying personal responsibility. Adam blamed Eve and God. Eve blamed the serpent. The serpent blamed God.
Jesus’ half brother James would answer our question, “What is within you is a greater problem than what is outside you.”
And, of course, he is right.
James describes what is the biggest problem.
In the book of James, what is outside of you, happening to you, he calls, “Trials” or “Pressure-filled circumstances.”
How does he say to respond to those things? He says to pray for wisdom, endure through them, get the piece of character God provides, and receive blessings for enduring pressure-filled circumstances. James understood that what was without you provided an opportunity to either honor God or dishonor God in you. In other words, you undergo the particular pressure-filled circumstance. Basically, there are two choices:
First, recognize God allows you to undergo pressure-filled circumstances to become like Jesus Christ, or
Second, blame God or someone else for your problem (what is without instead of what is within).
The problem is not what is without. The problem is within.
James continues: “But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15).
In the midst of your pressure-filled circumstances, the most dangerous things is the desire that is within you, not the circumstances that identify it. The desire within you gives birth to sin, destruction, and ultimately death.
Catch this. People or things outside you do not produce sin; the desire within you produces sin. Sin ultimately leads down the road to destruction and death.
So what is your biggest problem? Your biggest problem is not something outside of you. That something (a pressure-filled circumstance) at best can only influence you. What turns that pressure from “a trial that builds your faith” to “a temptation to sin” is your heart response to it, not the pressure itself. Therefore, the desire within you is much more important than whatever the thing or person is outside of you.
This Week Live In Light Of What Really Matters
This week, live in awareness of your desires in the midst of your pressure-filled circumstances. When you want to respond to those pressures or people in ways that dishonor the Lord, immediately recognize yourself as the culprit. Repent and confess the desire that pushes you toward a dishonoring response. Change paths. Then, walk humbly in awareness of your new desires.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together