Focus: Behave Yourself

Text: Ps.39:1

"I will take heed to my ways."

Life requires that we take time often to pause and ponder about ourselves - about our thoughts and attitudes, words and acts, worldviews and value system, beliefs and behaviors, character and conduct.

Twice in Haggai, God says to his people, "Consider your ways" (Hag.1:5,7).

Let me remind you of Socrates, the Greek philosopher's two popular and powerful dictums, which are, "Man, know thyself," and, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Examining the Church at Sardis, Jesus says, "I have not found thy works perfect before God" (Rev.3:2). Their works most likely appeared perfect to men, but certainly not to God.

Do your ways involve being unduly critical and negatively judgmental of others? Then, be it known to you, as the saying goes, that those who live in glasshouses should not throw stones. Solomon warns that "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov.14:12).

Think deeply about your ways. Paul talks about "my ways which be IN Christ…" (1Cor.4:7). Are your ways IN Christ or outside of Christ? How do you treat people? Do you love and forgive freely? Do you relate with others with open-mind and open-heart? Do you exhibit the air of superiority in your relationship with others? Do you see yourself as belonging to the higher class in the society or in the church? It's about time you took heed to your ways.

Are you a double minded person? James says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (Jam.1:8).

Are you sure that you are setting a good example for those coming behind or watching you? Peter says, "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (2Pet.2:2).

Watch your mouth. Watch your steps. Check your attitudes. Examine your spirit. Behave yourself. Make sure that your ways are in Christ and keep getting better with the help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter