We Are Not Our Behavior

There are people in this world who tend to behave a certain way; That is not exactly what I would call of Godly characteristics. There are even people who are just down-right mean, nasty, evil, and spiteful. The crazy (and yet sad) thing about is that all of us have at least one family member or know someone who behaves in an ungodly manner.

They are always the one who causes drama or turn a happy get-together into a not-so happy one. Many people who operate in such a way will try to push the boundaries just to see how far they can go and how much they can get away with. Sometimes you may even wonder how someone can have the audacity to say and do whatever they want to people without any remorse or an ounce of conviction.


It's simple:

Sin = ungodly characteristics (works of the flesh) = bad behavior

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries,..." (Galatians 5:19-21)

Salvation = Godly Characteristics (fruit of the Spirit) = Moral and Just Behavior

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."(Galatians 5:22-23)

We cannot expect anyone operating in the flesh to act any better than the characteristics listed in Galatians 5:19-21. It is the work of the flesh that causes people to behave in an ungodly manner. And this is where we have to keep mind that it's not the person who is behaving badly. It's their flesh. And because they are walking according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit, they are subjected to the flesh. Therefore, bound to sin. It's hard to look beyond the person (their physical being) and into their hearts. Nonetheless, we have pray for their spirit. We have to war in the spirit against the devil on their behalf. It is not the person we are warring against.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Sometimes, we have to love people where there are....for right now. However, it doesn't mean we have to stop praying for them to be save; so that they will no longer be bound to sin,and subjected to the works of the flesh. But, free from it and walking according to the Spirit. Hallelujah!!!

Bottom-line: We are not our behavior. But, we are all children of God saved by grace and mercy. Glory to God!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Ephesians 2:1-8

1) AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins
2) In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].

3) Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.

4)But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

5) Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

6) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

7) He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.

8) For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;