Arrogant or Compassionate Hearts

I read something this morning in my Bible Study that really stuck with me. It is a really good question to consider daily, as to the condition of our hearts. This question relates to anything from a huge battle to a little argument with a loved one. “Which do we tend to enjoy most: God-given victory or our foe’s defeat? Our attitude can be a litmus test. Does victory humble us and bring us to our knees in thanksgiving to God, or does victory make us proud and arrogant toward those less victorious?” ~Beth Moore - Breaking Free Study Guide I know I am so very guilty of wanting to win an argument at any cost. It can, at times, feel like a run-away train that I can’t seem to bring to a screeching halt. And then, when it appears I have won the argument, I gloat a little. This study revealed to me the need to face this ugliness head on, admit it to God and pray for Him to transform my heart in this area. We can’t be “good” apart from Him. Yes, we should do our part, but without spending time with Him regularly and without handing over our broken parts to Him, we will struggle and feel like a failure every single time. He is the only One who has the power to equip us mere humans to do anything genuinely good. “Now may the God of peace...equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.” Hebrews 13:20-21 It is God’s will that we be free from sin and darkness, so when we pray for this, which is according to His Will, He will hear us and help us. But we must keep going back to Him daily to allow Him to transform us little by little. He doesn’t just snap His fingers and give us a new attitude or character, but instead, He works with us by first revealing the root causes of the brokenness and ugliness, which is the true cause of the ugliness seeping out onto others. Doing our part is simply being willing to see those ugly roots, that God will reveal, that have been growing for years...wreaking havoc on our character, life and faith. Give Him full access and control and allow His very Spirit within you to heal and transform you.* “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.” 1 John 5:14-15 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (*All those who have surrendered their life to Christ and have been Baptized house the Holy Spirit. However, we determine how much the Holy Spirit effects our walk by how much time we spend with God and how much time we spend feeding on worldly things)