Public Success, Private Failure

Many people today lead different lives. They have different sets of behavior while at home and in public. Though this can be broken down even further, there are specific behaviors for the public and private life.

People have a desire to be liked, understood, appreciated, and successful within their professional and personal life. To achieve these, people may adjust their conduct or character. (This doesn’t mean the person will commit illegal acts.) Though someone may achieve success in their professional and personal life, they may experience the exact opposite in their private life.

The private life is often hidden from the public. The private life can refer to the home (life) or personal conduct away from the public ‘eye.’ Though someone may be known as a generous person in the public eye, they may be stingy and selfish in their private life. Though private actions may be out of the public’s sight, they are in open view to God.

Proverbs 15:3 – The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

We can get so caught up in hiding from the public, that we forget that nothing is hidden from God. He sees everything we do and knows everything we think – even before we think it (Psalm 139:1-3). We can’t believe we’re getting away with anything by committing sinful or ungodly acts in private (or late at night)!

Some people have no desire to change. They want to keep their private life separate from their public life. They have no intention of changing.

Then there are also those that want to change, but their choice does not come without opposition – from the flesh (and satan). The flesh has no fear of God. It doesn’t care about punishment, responsibility, or accountability. All it wants is to be satisfied – at any cost. It seems that every time you want to live ‘right,’ the flesh (and satan) are bombarding you with temptation to keep you bound to sinful pleasures.

Romans 7:15-24 – For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

We want to be free (and live free), but we keep finding ourselves doing the opposite. You want to scream and rip that part out of you (if you could), but you find yourself living a ‘double life’ out of frustration, anger, despair, or willfulness of pleasure, etc.

There is hope in Jesus Christ! Sin does not have to keep us bound! Paul shares a little more in Romans 8:

Romans 8:5-7 – For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The mind is the battlefield where the flesh (and satan) wages its war against us! The path to living according to the Spirit begins in the mind.

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Change your mind to change your life! We must begin with a determination to think according to the Spirit and not the flesh. Meditating on fleshly desires will not produce the godly lifestyle you desire – only the opposite. The flesh (and satan) may consistently place sinful thoughts in your mind (i.e. when you least expect it). Therefore, it will take a conscious and persistent effort on your part to root out destructive thoughts that please your flesh (Proverbs 12:5). You must be prepared! The flesh (and satan) are playing for ‘keeps.’ This is no game and they aren’t going to give up easily. You must be committed for the long haul. Living for God is not impossible through Jesus Christ. He will help you in your weak areas (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Each day may present new challenges and many old ones, but strive to maintain a private life pleasing to God.

Hebrews 12:1-3 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Galatians 6:9 – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Mart1n