Owning Your Actions

Scripture: Because of you the Lord became angry with me also and said, "You shall not enter it, either." Deuteronomy 1:37

Observation: Technically ... that's a true statement. Because of the people's failure to follow God into the promised land, they had to still wander in the desert, which meant they were still wandering when Moses dishonored God by taking credit for drawing water from a rock. If not for the people's lack of obedience, they wouldn't have been there in the first place.

But ... it was Moses who struck the rock and took credit (with Aaron) for bringing forth water, instead of speaking to the rock as ordered and giving credit to God. Just like so many others in the Bible - starting with Adam - men deflect blame for their own errors and sins.

Application: I know EXACTLY where I do this - in my lack of patience and quick anger. Of course the reason I get frustrated so quickly must be because ... other people are so frustrating!! Their inability to follow instructions, or make good decisions, or avoid mistakes, is their fault, and so my response is due to their actions first.  Right?

Wrong.

My response is mine, and I need to own it. And most importantly, I need to own it before God, and align it to the Holy Spirit's fruit that should be showing through me. I should be a patient, joyful, kind peacemaker. I should be slow to judge, slow to anger, demonstrating self control. When I need to correct in truth, my words should be gentle, mixed with love.

I must own my actions, because I will be held accountable for them.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that you forgive me for my sins. Please forgive me today for hasty words I have spoken in anger, and hurt I have brought on others. May I learn from your example. Help me, please, to exhibit the fruits of the spirit in my actions and reactions to others, at all times. Thank you for your grace, even though I fail to pass that grace to others. I strive to do better in your name. Amen.