Forgetting What Is Wrong

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

I love volunteering in my kids' classrooms. I studied to be a teacher way back when, and I feel in my element, so to speak, when I'm working with kids and/or teachers.

Image courtesy of Paul Gooddy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This year, one of the things I'm doing in my 3rd grade daughter's class is putting together each student's individualized spelling list. Basically, this involves checking over several spelling type tests/activities and making a list of ten words that they missed for them to study for the next week. I also have bonus words for those who don't have enough misspellings to make a list ten words long. And I do this twenty-seven times - once for each student in the class.

Needless to say, this isn't a quick job. It generally takes me an hour or two. And sometimes, looking at the same words over and over can make me doubt myself.

You see, there will often be a word that almost everybody misses. And the more often I see it spelled incorrectly, the more likely it is that I'll begin to wonder if maybe I'm the wrong one. Or, at the least, I'll have to take a second, and possibly a third, look at the word until I'm convinced that I really DO know how to spell "heavy" or "doesn't."

This happens in my life spiritually as well. When I surround myself with sin, I'll often find myself questioning if a particular act is really that bad. And sometimes, if I see it enough, I forget what I know is correct and allow my desensitized self to indulge.

Common does not mean okay, my friends. No matter how many people are doing it (with or without negative consequences), there is a right and wrong. No matter how many of the twenty-seven kids in my daughter's class misspell the contraction of does not, "dosen't" will never be correct. And neither will sin.

Heavenly Father, we live in this world, but You do not want us to be of it. Help us, Lord, to never forget what is sin and what is right. Help us to flee from those things that will ensnare us, and to recognize when we are allowing doubt to take us to that slippery slope. Help us to remain faithful, and to never forget what is sin. In Your precious Son's name I pray. Amen.
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We're discussing this here, and at Living By Grace today. Won't you join the discussion?
 
Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength