Quite often we as Christians know the various sins against which we struggle. We might be strong in some areas, but are weak in others. For example, a person might not have a violent or quick temper, but he does struggle with discontentment and envy. A Christian might have real and genuine loves for others, but she has a hard time being a good steward of her money. The list goes on. Usually as we mature in the faith, we start to see our strengths and weaknesses. The Lord, through Scripture, helps us see our failures so we can repent of them and ask for grace to “put off” what is sinful and “put on” what is good. However, sometimes we can’t always name our weaknesses, we don’t know what to call them, or they haven’t been pointed out to us yet. In Refresh, the authors list some of the main areas of stumbling for women – though I’d add these are areas of stumbling for men as well:
Idolatry. We make idols of beauty, fashion, career, husband, or children – especially their success in school and sports.
Materialism. Our pursuit of money or bigger and better homes often results in working more hours or jobs than we can handle and also nourishes the womb of discontent that gnaws away at our minds and hearts.
Debt. One of the greatest causes of stress is living beyond our means. Maybe we don’t spend 50 percent more than we can afford, but 10 percent, year on year, grows our debt and our anxiety levels.
Comparison. Pinterest, Facebook, and mommy blogs can lead us to compare ourselves unfavorably with others who seem better looking, better homemakers, better organizers, and better everything.
Indiscipline. Although it’s hard to be disciplined and organized, it’s more stressful to be the opposite, which so easily occurs as we use technology. How many hours are wasted on the internet, resulting not only in guilt over wasted time but a pileup of other duties that now have to be rushed.
Identity. We define who we are by our successes, our failures, or some part of our past, instead of who we are in Christ.
Media diet. Just as what we put in our mouths affects our emotions, thoughts, and hearts so what we put in our ears and eyes has emotional, intellectual, and spiritual consequences. Many live as if Philippians 5:8 said, ‘Whatever things are false, whatever things are sordid, whatever things are wrong, whatever things are filthy, whatever things are ugly, whatever things are terrible, if there is any vice, if there is anything worthy of criticism, meditate on these things.’
Perfectionism. We strive for flawless family, house, meals, and appearance.
Failure. We fail at school, or at a job, or at homemaking, or in witnessing, or we fail to meet our own or others’ expectations.
Later in this helpful book the authors talk more about dealing with these dangers and sins in light of God’s grace and his word. It’s good to know our sins and weaknesses so we can, by God’s grace, fight them. We don’t want to wallow in weakness, we want to press on obediently in the strength of the Lord!
NOTE: I edited the list for length; you can find it in its entirety on pages 46-48 of Refresh by David and Shona Murray.
Shane Lems
Hammond, WI, 54015
The Reformed Reader Blog 