iman serna

Blissful State

Have you ever noticed that the people who have the strongest or loudest opinions about "anything" are usually the ones who aren't doing or haven't done "anything"?

They are usually the ones who are also grossly misinformed, uninformed or both and yet claims to be an authority of the aforementioned "anything".

The same people will also, for the most part, shove "share" their opinions on to others whether or not they've been asked to.

It's always easy to be an arm chair quarterback on Monday nights when you don't have a few 300lb linemen wanting to crush you...when you don't have the pressure of time and timing hovering over your head...when you don't hear 70,000 fans screaming their guts out all at once...when you don't have to lose your job or answer to anyone if you throw an interception...when you don't have the perspective of the quarterback himself...when you're not in the game.

It's easy to say "you know, if I was driving this car I'd do a better job than that driver" while sitting in the backseat...not having the drivers perspective or seeing what the driver sees.

It's easy to take pot shots at a target that's already big, growing and moving...specially when you're small, stagnant and static.

Whatever happened to the old adage "walk a mile in someone's shoes..."? Passing judgment and ridiculing someone seems to be the norm nowadays.

I guess it's easier to complain and bellyache about someone or something rather than actually doing something about it. It's easier to proclaim loudly "this is the key to success" when you haven't even located the "door".

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion" right? Right...but being entitled to an opinion doesn't make that opinion right, good or true! Opinions are like armpits...everyone has a couple of them and it usually stinks.

"Ignorance is Bliss"
I don't ever want to attain that level of "bliss" simply because I chose to be "ignorant".

...I choose wisdom...

...I choose love...

 

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent,
       but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 11:12
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
       but a man of understanding holds his tongue.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
       and discerning if he holds his tongue.

tired of it...

INTEGRITY, HONOR and HONESTY are all synonyms of each other if you check Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.

These are also words that are often used, misused and strewn about in the "Christian" vernacular.

The best I've heard the word "INTEGRITY" been described is this..."Integrity is one's character or how one acts when no one is watching".

Can integrity exist without Godly wisdom?

Can integrity exist outside of truth?

Can anyone truly call themselves a follower of Christ if integrity is grossly invisible from their character?

I ask these questions because I'm tired of the games WE play as Christ's followers. Tired of the facade that WE put on and yet the world easily sees through! Tired of not being able to be "all that we can be" as God's redeemed. Tired of seeing the body of Christ consistently fragmented by our lack of integrity.

We need to look to the root of this epidemic in order for us to find the cure. I believe that PRIDE and ARROGANCE are the 2 key factors that shuns integrity. Pride says "I AM a "christian" henceforth I HAVE integrity." Arrogance declares "I HAVE integrity and neither wisdom nor ANYONE can tell me otherwise!"

I believe INTEGRITY and WISDOM are inseparable!

Integrity is closely accompanied, guided, guarded and fueled by wisdom. Remove wisdom from this equation and all you have is foolish pride and wicked intent.

1. Proverbs 10:9
   The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
   
   
2. Proverbs 11:3
   The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
   
   
3. Proverbs 13:6
   Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

WE all are works in progress...WE all are in a journey...WE all are in desperate need of a loving, merciful and gracious Savior...WE all need to constantly and consistently examine our attitudes, our intentions and our hearts.

Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."