a Lenten List

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.  “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. ((Ephesians 4:25-32)

Wow......talk about a Lenten List! As we have entered into the Lenten season, for many is is a remembrance of our new year resolution. Here is what I will not do for the next forty days! Then what? 

Lying, stealing, bitterness, anger, all things not becoming of a Christ follower. These are good to give up for sure! However, as Paul writes, replace these sinful habits with good; give generously, edify others, and be forgiving! Let this be our way of life, not a 30-day diet.

Lent is indeed a time of identifying sinful traits and spending time in prayer to change our behaviors and be more like Christ. But it His also a time to replace old habits with new ones. If fasting, give the food of money to someone in need. Replace the senseless videos with biblically sound movies. Remove music with ungodly lyrics and begin listen to CHRISTian music. Let couch time become gym time as we improve these God-given temples for His use.

Let's not become ritualistic or legalistic here. We do nothing to be seen or applauded. We do all we do for the glory of God and so others may come to Him.

What is your Lenten list?