Can we hold man to standard that God doesn’t hold us to? He doesn’t hold us to a checklist that we can’t meet, so why should you hold others to a checklist? First examine yourself to see if you are not practicing the things that Mark outlines in Mark 7:21-23 ESV “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
How many of us can say that we haven’t done or are not guilty of any of these sinful behaviors? I’ll bet if you are honest with yourself, there are probably about five things on that list that you can check off as not having done. God knew man was flawed which is why he sent his son Jesus into the world to redeem us from sin and unrighteousness. So as humans wrapped in flesh, we will never be able meet the list of all the requirements that it takes to become upstanding Christians with good moral character and values.
We must learn to operate in the spirit and not the flesh and create a checklist or a daily routine to feed our spirit man. For example: Having a consistent prayer life, studying and meditating on God’s word, fasting and denying our flesh of ungodly acts and thoughts, saturating ourselves with the things of God so that we can recognize his highest good for us and listening to Him for direction so that we can navigate through this world of sin. His word will teach you how to live in this world and not be consumed by the things of this world.
You must live each day knowing that Jesus is in control so allow him to take on the things that are beyond your control. What you think is impossible, to God it is possible so release whatever is keeping you from living a godly life and allow him to deliver you from it. Trust that everything will be okay so that you can focus on being the best version of yourself. God has positioned you for greatness, don’t allow the enemy to steal the person that He has called you to me.
Marilyn Fenderson Ministries 