A Classic Housewife and Her Faith

Nothing But The Blood

Welcome, new visitor! Come on in. The Classic Housewife is currently undergoing some back end changes. In the meantime I'm re-posting some oldies and goodies. You may also want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

At the end of a long, hard day, the spray of the shower washing off more than the dirt, this hymn from my childhood came to mind, brought me comfort, took me into worship singing song after song, and led me me through repentence and finally into peace.

I couldn’t get this hymn out of my head. Over and over it reminded me that I’ve been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, free to throw off the sin that so easily entangles and cling to the cross of Christ in the midst of these struggles. I felt compelled to sit down with my Macbook and make this:

I cannot do this on my own. I need God. I need Jesus.

I came out of the shower feeling not only clean, but feeling new again.

Oh God, I seek you. Cleanse me from my sin, wash away my human nature, fill me with your spirit, create in me a clean heart, O God.

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About Sin, and Diapers. An Analogy.

Amy Jane at Untangling Tales writes a fabulous analogy between sin and dirty diapers, and encourages us to remember our iniquity and how detestable it is to God every time we have to change one. Read more here. Personally, I thought it was a great analogy and a good reminder. (Even if analogies do break down at some point!)

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

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The Sin of Self-Defense Part II

Almost as soon as I wrote my original post, The Sin of Self-Defense, I intended on writing a Part II. I haven’t sat down to do that until just now. First off, let me say that I chose that title partially because it was eye-catching and a little controversial. I apologize, that should not be what motivates the choice of a title. On the other hand, the alliteration lent a little ring to it and that ultimately was what swayed my decision. Still, I could just as easily chosen “The Sin of Being Over-Defensive” or something to that effect. Forgive me?

Moving On…

The Sin of Self-Defense, Part II

In ‘part 1,’ I offered up for discussion how over-reacting and being defensive against some perceived attack is actually a sin. The key words there are ‘over’ and ‘perceived.’ I’m not talking about physically defending oneself against a physical attack. Likewise, if you are actually being accused of some serious crime or deed that you did not commit, I would not call it sin to provide an alibi or attempt to clear your name. However, even then I think it should be done in a Christ-like manner, it still wouldn’t justify yelling or being overly-defensive.

So these don’t apply to the point I’m trying to make. What does apply? In conversation, in passing, at work, at church, or at home, sometimes somebody will do or say something that we take the wrong way. The right thing to do would be to ask: “What are you saying?” or “Do you mean ____?” Is that always our response? It’s in our human nature to puff up and defend ourselves when we feel threatened. When we assume we are being attacked and we get defensive, I believe that is a sin. Even if that person really did mean to insult us, I still thinks it’s a sin to yell or act towards the other person in anger. We are reacting out of our pride and flesh. In that moment we are not loving that other person, we are not trusting God, and we are not showing the love of Christ in our hearts. There are many, many scriptures that we are not obeying. And when we don’t obey God’s word, that is a sin.

• “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. ” Leviticus 19:17-18
• “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
• “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-78
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” Matthew 5:38-40
• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
• ” The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” Proverbs 29:25

Also:

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3: 8-17

As a stay home wife and mother, this applies most to my relationship with my husband. Though sometimes I might run into this at church. Or maybe at the grocery store. Or even driving down the road and getting mad at a driver who will never even know that I was ranting at raving at them for cutting me off. (I know. And God knows.) When my feelings get hurt or I get angry (for whatever reason, it really doesn’t matter ‘why’) I have two choices. I can react in the flesh, or I can act through the word of God. Those are my choices. It doesn’t get any more black and white than that. So what I need to do now, is strive to act according to God’s word instead of reacting in the flesh.

God teach me how to have a gentle and quiet spirit, one that act and reacts in love and gentleness. Give me a heart that loves beyond what I am naturally capable on my own. Grant me the self-control to choose your ways over the ways of the flesh. Reign in me. Amen.

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The Sin of Self-Defense

It happens when someone says something that we perceive to be intended as an insult or complaint. It happens when someone accuses us of not getting something done, or of not doing it right. It happens when someone else sins and begins to attack us verbally. It is the sin of self-defense. We feel compelled to justify our actions, set the record straight, or provide an excuse. We feel so compelled because our reputation and our image are at stake, not to mention that pesky fear of not being liked. So we jump to conclusions about the perceived attack (real or imagined) and go to battle with all the reasons why we’re right - all to protect a little thing called pride.

Why can it be so hard, when someone says “Oh, this isn’t right.. why didn’t you do it this way?” for us to just respond: “Oh! I did it wrong! I’m sorry I messed up.”? Isn’t that because we don’t like to make mistakes? After all, it’s very bad for the image. Why is it that when we make a social mistake, we will think about it for several hours, dwelling on it more than the other person probably is? Is it because we so desperately desire to be accepted and well-liked? As I said, it all boils down to pride. It’s easy to too highly value the opinion of man and too highly value our self-image. The real crux of the problem is valuing others opinions and our image more than God’s image and opinions.

I’m not going to pretend I’m not guilty of this. I like being liked. But I didn’t really see the heart of the problem until earlier this week when I was talking with a wise and godly woman. I had never looked at things quite this way before, but I see that yes, she is quite right. Pride, pride, pride. That and the fear of man. She recommended that I read a book called When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man. (Of course, I haven’t read it yet myself, so I can’t recommend it yet. However, it has good reviews. )

That being said, there’s a simple solution:

Focus on God.

Fix your eyes and your heart on Him, His goodness, His wisdom and His love for you. Yes, maintain good earthly relationships and follow God’s commandments about love, truth and forgiveness, but find your ultimate joy, satisfaction and identity in Christ alone.

Romans 8: 12So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Exodus 15: 11 “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

There are more,… so many more!

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