I came across a humor book called the chuck-it list, it's got funny captions for journal pages like, "monuments I'll never visit, road trips I'll never go on, events I'll never compete in" it's meant to inspire like writing a bucket list but with a lot less pressure to follow through on the ideas. I was disappointed because I thought it was brilliant to actively think about attitudes, behaviors and habits that we should strive to "chuck" out of our lives. So I've made my list of 12 things to stop doing before I die. The Bible calls this "putting off the old man"
12. Independence - The is one of life's grand illusions. No matter how much success I experience or what I have above and beyond my needs - I'm not independent from God and people. My goal in life is to live and breath acknowledging God who gives life and can take it away and people he's brings into my life to help me (that I might help them too).
11. Lying - This is a problem for most people have because it seems like an effective coping mechanism for areas that we fall short in. It's even worse for Christians because when we are dishonest in any way we are knowingly sinning against God and he hates it (Proverbs 6:16-19). I need to be truthful to God, myself and others.
10. Insensitivity - Insensitivity really shows itself in the lives of people around me. I'm reminded of my kindergarten fish, my good intention of feeding him (with a months worth of food while I went to school) didn't matter. The fish was dead. I need to be sensitive to God, his call and to people around me (loved ones, friends, neighbors and strangers).
9. Brashness -By this I mean arrogance, cockiness, self-assurance, self-confidence to the point of being disrespectful, insolent and rude. I would do well to slow down sometimes and take on modesty leading to civility, courtesy, graciousness and good manners. Being brash is like being the unrighteous "revilers" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I need to chuck it.
8. Nearsightedness - as long as I can remember I've been nearsighted. The good thing is that if I was interested in something I'd have to get closer, but corrective lenses fixed that issue. I like the idea of outliving enemies in that after a while they can come around and be friends. The best way to live is beyond our own lives. I want to think about my legacies, legacy. I want to spend my moments with eternity in mind.
7. Powerlessness - I won't walk by a person in need when I have the ability and means to help and I won't hold back a friendly smile. I will live in the truth of Christ in me and be filled with gracious power of God. I will view problems and opportunities with the attitude of what can I do.
6. Greed - By this I mean wearing "golden hand cuffs" that may keep me away from the calling that would better utilize the skills, abilities and desires received from God. Greed can also show itself in holding back parts of my life from God.
5. Lust - This is covetousness, wanting what others have and wanting more of everything for myself (Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15), "Build a bigger barn for all my stuff" is the wrong way (Luke 12:16-21). Put to death these desires that lead to sin and death (Colossians 3:5; James 1:14; 2 Timothy 3:6). Regarding 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Matthew Henry says, "God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure...All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus."
4. Doubt - The opposite of doubt is faith, meaning trust in the Lord with all my heart and not my own understanding. Chucking doubt will show itself when in all my ways I acknowledge him and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:5-8). Trusting in the Lord means asking him in faith with no doubting (James 1:6; Matthew 21:21). While I'm chucking doubt, I need to have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 1:22) - serve others as Jesus commanded, in the way he commanded.
3. Guilt - Guilt can take the form of anxiety. The bible says that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1). The way to chuck guilt is to confess sin to God, submitting myself to him in fear and true repentance (James 4:7; Psalm 103:11-12). I need to cast my cares onto him knowing that he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), I need to patient with myself and others believing in God (2 Peter 3:9)
2. Disobedience - Could be the hardest thing of all. I was raised in a "grace" focused church, where it was drilled into me that we don't earn our way into heaven but that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). I'm enticed by my own desires and lured into sin (James 1:14-15), Jesus said plainly if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). We live in times of difficulty and the Bible warned us about this (2 Timothy 3:1-7). I need to listen to Jesus and not my culture and put my action where my heart is. So I'm chucking disobedience and obeying God (Acts 5:29).
1. Blasphemy - There is one unpardonable sin in the whole of the Bible. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29). My friend brought up the meaning of the unpardonable sin. Hebrews 10:29 that says, "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" This shows itself when we hear the word of the Lord and are convicted - yet refuse to receive the gift of salvation. This is the reason that at the end of time those not listed in the book of life will be throne into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-11,12-15), they worship the beast who blasphemies God (Revelation 13:1-18). Definitely on the "chuck it" list.
Putting Off The Old Man
Job 33:4
31 Bible Verses about Dependence
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Lying, Greed, Covetousness, Lust (2 timothy 3:6) Commentary, Doubt,Commandments of Jesus, Guilt, Disobedience, Blasphemy
brashness
12. Independence - The is one of life's grand illusions. No matter how much success I experience or what I have above and beyond my needs - I'm not independent from God and people. My goal in life is to live and breath acknowledging God who gives life and can take it away and people he's brings into my life to help me (that I might help them too).
- We all depend on God for life (Job 33:4;10:12;12:10;27:3;32:8; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 42:5) our life is sustained by God (John 15:5) and our spirit returns to God when we die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
- We depend on each other by God's design (Romans 12:4-5)
11. Lying - This is a problem for most people have because it seems like an effective coping mechanism for areas that we fall short in. It's even worse for Christians because when we are dishonest in any way we are knowingly sinning against God and he hates it (Proverbs 6:16-19). I need to be truthful to God, myself and others.
- Lying comes from the devil (John 8:44) and exposes what is in our heart (Matthew 15:18-20
- Don't lie to one another, see you've put off the old self and put on the new self - being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10).
- Lying never pays off, only hurts myself and others (Luke 8:17, Exodus 20:16)
10. Insensitivity - Insensitivity really shows itself in the lives of people around me. I'm reminded of my kindergarten fish, my good intention of feeding him (with a months worth of food while I went to school) didn't matter. The fish was dead. I need to be sensitive to God, his call and to people around me (loved ones, friends, neighbors and strangers).
9. Brashness -By this I mean arrogance, cockiness, self-assurance, self-confidence to the point of being disrespectful, insolent and rude. I would do well to slow down sometimes and take on modesty leading to civility, courtesy, graciousness and good manners. Being brash is like being the unrighteous "revilers" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I need to chuck it.
8. Nearsightedness - as long as I can remember I've been nearsighted. The good thing is that if I was interested in something I'd have to get closer, but corrective lenses fixed that issue. I like the idea of outliving enemies in that after a while they can come around and be friends. The best way to live is beyond our own lives. I want to think about my legacies, legacy. I want to spend my moments with eternity in mind.
7. Powerlessness - I won't walk by a person in need when I have the ability and means to help and I won't hold back a friendly smile. I will live in the truth of Christ in me and be filled with gracious power of God. I will view problems and opportunities with the attitude of what can I do.
- I can give freely of my time, treasure and talent with peace and blessing of God (Proverbs 11:24; 1 Peter 4:7-11)
6. Greed - By this I mean wearing "golden hand cuffs" that may keep me away from the calling that would better utilize the skills, abilities and desires received from God. Greed can also show itself in holding back parts of my life from God.
- Preoccupation with riches leads to temptations/cravings and strife (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Proverbs 28:25)
- Contentment with God, being heavenly minded is key (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:24; )
- Greed is a sin like sexual perversion found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
5. Lust - This is covetousness, wanting what others have and wanting more of everything for myself (Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15), "Build a bigger barn for all my stuff" is the wrong way (Luke 12:16-21). Put to death these desires that lead to sin and death (Colossians 3:5; James 1:14; 2 Timothy 3:6). Regarding 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Matthew Henry says, "God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure...All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus."
- She who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive (1 Timothy 5:6)
- We've all been enslaved by all sorts of desires, yet God in loving-kindness saves us with grace and mercy (Titus 3:3-15)
4. Doubt - The opposite of doubt is faith, meaning trust in the Lord with all my heart and not my own understanding. Chucking doubt will show itself when in all my ways I acknowledge him and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:5-8). Trusting in the Lord means asking him in faith with no doubting (James 1:6; Matthew 21:21). While I'm chucking doubt, I need to have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 1:22) - serve others as Jesus commanded, in the way he commanded.
3. Guilt - Guilt can take the form of anxiety. The bible says that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1). The way to chuck guilt is to confess sin to God, submitting myself to him in fear and true repentance (James 4:7; Psalm 103:11-12). I need to cast my cares onto him knowing that he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), I need to patient with myself and others believing in God (2 Peter 3:9)
2. Disobedience - Could be the hardest thing of all. I was raised in a "grace" focused church, where it was drilled into me that we don't earn our way into heaven but that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). I'm enticed by my own desires and lured into sin (James 1:14-15), Jesus said plainly if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). We live in times of difficulty and the Bible warned us about this (2 Timothy 3:1-7). I need to listen to Jesus and not my culture and put my action where my heart is. So I'm chucking disobedience and obeying God (Acts 5:29).
1. Blasphemy - There is one unpardonable sin in the whole of the Bible. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29). My friend brought up the meaning of the unpardonable sin. Hebrews 10:29 that says, "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" This shows itself when we hear the word of the Lord and are convicted - yet refuse to receive the gift of salvation. This is the reason that at the end of time those not listed in the book of life will be throne into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-11,12-15), they worship the beast who blasphemies God (Revelation 13:1-18). Definitely on the "chuck it" list.
Putting Off The Old Man
Job 33:4
31 Bible Verses about Dependence
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Lying, Greed, Covetousness, Lust (2 timothy 3:6) Commentary, Doubt,Commandments of Jesus, Guilt, Disobedience, Blasphemy
brashness