Personal Development Archives - Page 2 of 11

12 Proofs Your Sin Nature Won’t Be Eradicated

December 21, 2020 by EnnisP 4 Comments

Christians May Not Always Agree
But Scripture Doesn’t Contradict Scripture

In my last post, I stressed the fact that we are all sinners and sinners sin. It’s what we do.

I’m not saying it’s beneficial to sin or suggesting we should enjoy it. I’m not saying you should want to sin or prefer to sin.

I’m saying we all have a sinful nature and that makes us sinners. Even before you commit your first act of sin you are a sinner.

According to James, who made the point rather bluntly, even temptation is an indication we are sinners.

Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire. (James 1:14)

And I can hear you asking “What about Eve?” She was tempted. Was she also a sinner before she ate the forbidden fruit?

It’s a good question. Eve didn’t start with a sinful nature. She was innocent, untainted but she was still tempted. Why is temptation proof we have a sinful nature but not for her? Another good question.

Don’t get too confuzzled by that. Jesus was also tempted but He didn’t have a sinful nature. There’s a way to understand the difference.

Her temptation came from outside influence. The same is true for Jesus. Fortunately, Jesus not only didn’t give in, He couldn’t. He’s eternally perfect.

Sin Can Be Formative

Eve wasn’t perfect. Her character, like all humans, was in the developing process. We all start at zero character – neither good nor bad.

It’s a fact, though, that mistakes and sin are a part of the shaping process. Aside from the fact that Eve was corrupted the moment she caved, and we’ve all inherited the corruption, a more important reality is she gained a great deal of wisdom and insight from the experience.

Once bitten, twice shy. Sins don’t define you. Failure and mistakes don’t define you. How you respond to these things does.

Honesty about your sin nature is also important. Now, temptation starts on the inside and works its way out. We are therefore tainted before we commit the first sinful deed which is kind of what James was saying.

Jesus made the same point: the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45).

What that means is there will never be a time this side of heaven when Christians, though saved from the penalty of sin, will be entirely free of sin. Your sin nature will dog you all your days.

We shouldn’t take delight in that but we shouldn’t hide from it either. [Read more…] about 12 Proofs Your Sin Nature Won’t Be Eradicated

Can The Commissioner of Labor Make A Difference

September 16, 2020 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Are You Drowning In The Status Quo

On Tuesday November 3rd we will be electing a new commissioner of labor for the State of North Carolina.

This is an exciting year because it’s an open election. The previous Commissioner, who held the office for five terms changed little. This time around, hopefully, things will be different.

The two candidates are Jessica Holmes for the Democratic Party and Josh Dobson for the Republican Party. Both candidates have political experience.

Jessica Holmes served for 7 years on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, which is no mean feat. Wake County is now the largest county in North Carolina. Not only has she served on the largest county but she also has the distinction of being the youngest person to serve as a commissioner and also the youngest person to serve as the board’s chair.

Jessica earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina.

Josh Dobson served 8 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives and during that time was involved in a ton of legislation. One bill in particular represents where his head is on financial issues, SB 820 which was signed into law on December 3, 2018. Simply put, the bill increases the cap on incentives paid to corporations that move premises to North Carolina. On the surface, it sounds promising but it’s mostly about big money and deep pockets. You can read about a few of the problems with the bill on NC Policy Watch.

Josh earned a Masters of Public Administration from Appalachian State. [Read more…] about Can The Commissioner of Labor Make A Difference

Two Big Takeaways From Clemson-Alabama IV

January 9, 2019 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

What Do You Call It
When SEC Teams Can’t Beat Alabama?
A Job For The ACC!

The game is over and the result is clear. Clemson is the National Champion and by a large margin. If you compare stats, you could argue the teams were well matched but according to the scoreboard – the only stat that counts – it was a blowout.

Despite Alabama running more plays, completing more passes and possessing the ball more, the game wasn’t close.

Obviously, we can’t take anything away from Alabama. They have history. Very long history. The words “Winning” and “Alabama” may soon be registered as synonyms, and that is great if you’re focused on the past, but it was a problem in this year’s FBS.

History doesn’t win football. Coaches and players do, so the first and most telling takeaway from this contest is: [Read more…] about Two Big Takeaways From Clemson-Alabama IV

IT – Life’s Biggest Obstacle

June 21, 2017 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

You Either Fight With
Or Against IT

Fight IT!

Not him. Not her. Not them. Not that.

IT! That is the trigger. You need look nowhere else.

IT is the obstacle, the non-personal problem standing in your way. IT is that thing that says you can’t do better, you’ll only get worse so there’s no sense trying. Just give up.

And IT is universal. Everyone is plagued with IT. IT is the same for everyone.

IT looms larger for some only because they see IT, observe IT, discuss IT, name IT and believe IT, but they rarely get IT right.

IT isn’t outside you or around you. IT doesn’t happen to you. IT is not the kids, the boss, the wife, the school or anything you can see.

IT loves your inabilities and will take on the appearance of something you can’t do only to draw attention away from all the things you can do. What you can’t do, your inability is not IT.

IT is not god but IT craves and feeds off belief. God wants you to win. IT wants you to do nothing. IT is inertia. IT opposes constructive activity of any kind. Circumstances may flatten you. IT works with circumstance to keep you down.

IT is internal, the little guy on the inside with the annoyingly persistent chatter. The whisper we magnify. But IT has no voice other than the one we give it.

And forward progress isn’t the only issue. The obstacle, whatever IT is, naturally moves us backward. The evidence of IT is self-absorption, self-satisfaction, self-pity and smug complacency. The fruit of IT is insidious decline.

IT is the reason we can’t lose weight, get fit, develop a new skill or reach the goal.

The problem is you can’t destroy IT. IT kills but IT won’t die. IT is always in the background. The trick is to never give in to IT, feed IT or believe IT, but don’t waste time or energy hating IT. IT fades only when we focus on the next step, the one IT doesn’t want us to take.

THINK!About……IT

Continuous Change Is The Key To Continuous Success

September 1, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Innovation And
Immunity
Have A Lot
In Common

We normally think of success as being static. That is, once we achieve it, we can relax. Climb the mountain and then boast. We’re set for life.

Recent history tells a different story, though. Fortune 500 companies today may very well be failures tomorrow, especially in today’s shape-shifting market place, suggesting that success needs to be revisited and renewed regularly.

Several Ted Talk specialists share examples of these failures, and successes, and ideas on why it happens and how to avoid one and insure the other. [Read more…] about Continuous Change Is The Key To Continuous Success