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Describe the difference between not doing something because it’s not right and not doing something because it’s not what we most deeply want to do.What do you most deeply want to do?
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At the core of our being, we bear the image of God. With that image we have a keen sense of right and wrong. To not do something because it is not right is to say I really want to get back at you for what you did to me; but it is not right for me to follow through on what I am thinking of doing to you. To not get back at someone because it is not what I most deeply want to do is to say I want to respond in a Christ like manner. I want God to get the glory out of my life. I want to go deeper in God. And should a situation like this happens again, I will be stronger and less impacted by it.
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Not doing something because it’s not right is I try to do so in my own strength–at least mostly, whereas not doing something because it’s not what I most deeply want to do is I do so because I know I have more important agenda, pursuing God which will not only please Him, but also will be helpful to others and again (I really know) will be most satisfying to me.
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The living from the “don’t” position can be accomplished in my own strength to my own glory. To live the same way (do or don’t do the same thing) from my deepest desires can look similar on the outside, but will be to God’s glory because I am dependent on the Spirit to live that way. I will want to do it, and the ability to do the right things will become more “natural” because they come out of who I now am.
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I most deeply want to please and glorify God in thought, speech, and deed. I am motivated by my love and appreciation for God. I was made/created to glorify God.
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What I most deeply want to do, whether I am aware of it or not, is to be in sync with Jesus and obey and serve Him. If I am aware of this, I will not be tempted to wrong things as easily because I want to please Jesus more than give in to temptation.
