When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore

Author:Beth Moore
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Published: 2010-01-06T22:00:00+00:00

I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Cor. 11:2–3)

Paul left no doubt in his letter to the Corinthians. He intended to hold them accountable to godliness. He had a godly jealousy for their best.

Please notice a critical element in Paul's accountability approach: his desire was their devotion to Christ—not their devotion to him. God-ordained yokefellows are jealous for us to be God's, not theirs. Godly accountability is never codependency.

Paul demonstrates another wonderful characteristic in a godly accountability partner. He had the ability to recognize and acknowledge strengths in his companions in the faith while still discerning risks. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul commended their sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Who wants an accountability partner who does nothing but point out weaknesses and spout warnings? I don't! I need a little encouragement sometimes, and so do you. Surely something is worth commending in us from time to time! If not, we need more than an accountability partner! The last thing Paul wanted was for the Corinthians to lose heart (2 Cor. 4:1). On the other hand, Paul was not blinded to the risks their present weaknesses heightened. He didn't just fret over the fears he had for them. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he spoke plainly and lovingly. They heard whether or not they heeded.

See-through lives. That's what we need. Whether we realize it or not, you and I are desperate for people who can see through our lives. With their help, we can begin practicing lives of inside-out veracity that anybody can see through. What freedom! What peace! Take it from a former Cover Girl...and I don't mean the pretty kind. I mean the kind who writes “Keep Out!” across her forehead in permanent marker and keeps herself covered no matter what the cost. Well, the cost is inestimable. Oh, what joy those days stole from me!

I remember being nineteen years old and sitting in a crowded auditorium at Southwest Texas State University. It was Awards Night, and the room was electric with excitement. Students, teachers, and parents filled the seats. The time finally came for the emcee to call out the names of twelve college students, six boys and six girls, who had been voted by a student body of nearly sixteen thousand as all-campus favorites. It was one of the most coveted honors at my (rather social) university.

“Beth Green.” My stomach jumped into my throat. My parents were so proud they cried. Everybody clapped and hugged me. I stood on the risers with the other eleven campus favorites as the audience gave us a lengthy standing ovation. I smiled and tried to capture the moment as best my handicapped heart could, but the enemy came to steal.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.