Doing what's right.

Mort Zuckerman, editor of U.S. News, writes about two kinds of cultures - the shame culture and the guilt culture - in an article published in the 11/6/06 issue. In that essay, he reflects on the growing problem with cheating in our nation - everywhere from Little League, to college entrance exams, to paying taxes. "Millions of Americans routinely engage in insurance fraud, cable TV theft, and software piracy... and see themselves as decent, law-abiding citizens. ... because," he reports, "they think there is more to gain by cheating than to lose. Inflamed by envy, they seek to be better off." One reason for our lack of integrity is that we are shifting from a guilt culture, that is, feeling guilty because we have a conscience that tells us when we're doing right and wrong; to a shame culture, where we only feel badly about doing wrong if we get caught and are exposed to public ridicule.

That really got my attention! With the erosion of knowledge of absolute 'right and wrong' that has developed right alongside of a growing agnosticism, comes a loss of conscience. With a loss of conscience, comes a lack of self-restraint for there is little incentive to do the right thing unless our actions are monitored by another.

So, who are you when no one is looking? What thoughts do you allow to fill up your mind where no one, except God, can see? Jesus states the principle that we act out of what we think! He said, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, NIV) That being true, the key to changed behavior is not greater restraint or monitoring. If we want to act differently, we must begin to think differently.

Here's good news. We can be changed, from the inside out, by the power of the Holy Spirit of God! It's not easy, nor is it simple. It won't happen in one moment or even in a single day. It's an ongoing process that we can sabotage by a few decisions. But, becoming a good person, with real integrity, is possible. It's a costly choice, and will most likely lead some, perhaps even many, to mock you as naive; or worse, as a fool for not seeking your own advantage.

So, how does it happen?

First, we respond to the Spirit of God with humility and faith to put our trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.

We must be converted! The Bible says that we are born to sin, flawed from the first by the nature we inherit from Adam. There is no remedy for this fatal 'disease' apart from Jesus. So, we begin by praying, "Come into my life and take over, Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive me, and clean me up!" Here's the wonderful promise of the Word. "Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, The Message)

Second, we invite the Spirit to be at work in us on a daily basis, not just on Sunday; not just in some quiet moment in the early morning or late evening, but everywhere, all day long.

Paul tells us to "walk in the Spirit." That's just what it sounds like. Take a daily walk with Him. Don't run ahead, don't leave Him at home. Of course, we can't really do that because God, the Spirit, is omnipresent but we can ignore Him! Be in the Presence of God by praying often, inviting Him to speak to your heart, to shape the thoughts of your mind.

Third, we become students of the Word.

As we read and study the Bible, God's wisdom becomes our wisdom. How should a follower of Jesus live? Start with Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7! Those three chapters can occupy your meditations for a very long time! Then, in Bible studies, in reading good Christian literature, from solidly Biblical preaching learn about the ways of God.

Fourth, discover the spiritual disciplines.

These disciplines are to the development of Christian character what exercise is to the development of the body! If we want to be fit and healthy, we know we must exercise. It's the one factor of good health that physicians universally agree on. 30 minutes a day walking at a good pace is the simplest and most effective way to maintain our health! But, many of us won't do it! Similarly, a solid Christian character is built by daily disciplines - prayer, Scripture intake, worship, giving, confession - to name a few. We choose to do them, not because we have a surge of feelings or because they are 'fun,' but because we have a goal of becoming good, like Christ. Know this, spiritual discipline comes last, not first! If you move this to the top of the list, you will just become religious, not good! Without a genuine change of heart and the daily experience of the life of the Spirit, any practice of spiritual discipline is just another expression of self, and will soon be corrupted into hypocrisy.

Believer, let me ask you straight out... what's in your heart?
Are you joining others in the shame culture, willing in self-interest to do wrong unless you think you will get caught?

Repent! Yes, turn to God and pray for a new heart and a fresh start. Ask the Lord to give you a tender conscience that knows the difference between right and wrong, that feels guilt so that you will quickly turn to Him and do what is right - ultimately for the glory and honor of God!

Here is a word from the Word. Take it with you today.
"Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. ... we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NLT)