Rick Warren's Blog, page 615

What Happens When You Do What You Know is Wrong?

The Bible says in Proverbs 10:9, ���Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out��� (NIV). You will be found out! So when making decisions, you have to have the integrity test.

Good Decisions Always Agree with God���s Word

When you need to make a decision, the first and ideal test is this: ���Is my decision in harmony with God���s Word?���

You have to decide what���s going to be your ultimate authority in life. It really boils down to two choices: God���s Word or the world. Are you going to base your decisions on what God says or what other people say?

To Make a Connection, Make a Commitment

Good relationships don���t happen by accident. They take cultivation, work, and a lot of time. That requires commitment!

Don���t Let Gossip Destroy Your Relationships

We tend to think of gossip as one of those ���little��� sins. But when God talks about gossip, he puts it on the list with things like sexual immorality and murder. Why? Because it is so destructive to relationships. Gossip can tear apart friendships, families, and churches.

Your Mouth Is a Power Tool. Use It Carefully

God wants us to use our words to build others up. Ephesians 4:29 says, ���Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen��� (NIV).

The World Does Not Revolve Around You

There���s an old Chinese Proverb that says, ���Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.��� The Bible talks about this as well: ���Look out for one another���s interests, not just for your own��� (Philippians 2:4 TEV).

Three Things Fear Does to Relationships

If you want to connect with someone, you���ve got to be willing to take the first step. This often takes courage. Why? Because it���s fear that disconnects human beings. When we���re full of fear and anxiety, we don���t get close to each other. In fact, we back off. We���re afraid of being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, used. All of these fears cause us to be disconnected in life.

We Must Accept God���s Grace

The Bible says in Romans 6:23, ���The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord��� (NLT, second edition). You might say that grace is the gift that keeps on giving. When you get to know Jesus Christ and his grace and love, it gets better and better and better. It is available and extended throughout eternity. The best is yet to come!

God���s Grace Is for Everybody

No matter who you are and no matter what you���ve done, God loves you, and he wants you to come home to him. He wants to shower his grace on you. He wants to throw a party for you when you return.

Four Steps to Stop Worry

It takes more than willpower to stop worrying. You already know that, because you���ve already tried it. You���ve thought, ���I shouldn���t worry about this,��� and yet you just keep on worrying about it.