Words of Conviction

Words of Conviction

I watched a movie last night, Time Changers, that led me to a period of re-examination and reflection. I have been working on some areas of habit self-control and this is part of that process.  Here are a couple of notes.

Apathy

absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement

One of the first words I considered is apathy.  I have allowed this to become the norm rather than the exception.  I have become lax in certain areas of my life and want to live differently.

Compromise

  1. to make a dishonorable or shameful concession
  2. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands
  3. an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.

I have allowed this negative aspect of compromise, from the first definition listed, to also become the norm rather than the exception in my life, especially with regard to entertainment choices.  There are good things that can come from comprise, see the second definition above.  Every relationship, whether between individuals or groups, has to have some level of compromise for it to be successful.  However, too much compromise results in the third definition, which in turn results in diminished integrity.

Indifference

lack of interest or concern

Indifference is a synonym of apathy but and probably the root cause for the compromises I have allowed to take place in my life.  While I have been working on giving up some bad habits, I have allowed indifference to certain things lead to compromise.

Of course reflection without action doesn’t do any good.

Repentance

deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like

Father God, forgive me for allowing apathy, compromise and indifference to become the norm in my life.  Help me as I seek to honor You in all areas of me life so that I can live a life of integrity before You and the world around me.  May Your will be done in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Discernment

the faculty of discerning; discrimination; acuteness of judgment and understanding

It’s kind of funny … OK not really funny but more accurately sad, that I can be watching a TV program or movie and know that what I am watching isn’t really uplifting or honoring to God and yet still continue to watch it.  I need to solidify my priorities as taught by Jesus as the guiding principles in my life.

Prioritize

to arrange or do in order of priority

As Jesus rightly taught, the first commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” and the second is “love your neighbor as yourself.”  These need to be the standards I use to prioritize my time and activities while using good judgment (discernment).

My questions to you, dear reader, is this, what are your priorities?

Integrity

  1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty
  2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished
  3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition

This is my goal: to live my life before God and others with integrity of purpose and action.


All definitions are from Dicitionary.com.  I have rearranged the order of the selected definitions used to better fit the purposes of this article.


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