Take Responsibility

At work, we used a phoenix to represent that we have all failed, but like the phoenix, we can rise out of our ashes to a new life. The acronym RISE stands for Respect, Integrity, Self-Control, and Engage. Each letter has different lessons on behaviors expected during our day and lives. Under Integrity are the words take ownership for your actions. I explain this to the students, if you do it, admit it.

We could have resolved many a fight or argument with the words “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me.” Today’s society doesn’t wait to rush in. They are ready to fight for the most minor reason. Proverbs 15:18 calls these people wrathful. “A wrathful man stirreth up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

Wrathful people have overtaken our nation—people who saw an injustice, real or presumed, and began stirring up strife. Our nation’s capital even fell to one of these attaches on Jan 6, 2021, post-election riots. People with righteous indignation are quick to jump and fight even if their ideals are wrong.

In John 8:3-7, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery before Jesus. According to the Law of Moses, the punishment was stoning. These were wrathful men. They were trying to trap Jesus. They weren’t thinking about their actions. Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him firsts cast a stone at her.” Jesus was not releasing her from her actions but forcing the men to be accountable for their own. Their wrath left them, and one by one, they walked away.  But were they taking ownership of their sins, or just walking away from their confronter.  When Jesus was alone with the woman, He forgave her and sent her away, telling her to sin no more. The riot was avoided.

This story could have been ripped from today’s headlines. Police shootings questioned. People begin throwing stones as soon as the hammer drops.

Next time you feel like you’ve been insulted, or falsely accused, be slow to anger and think, are you without sin? God knows our hearts. Take responsibility for your actions. Romans 15:1, “A soft word turns away wrath.” Be slow to react and think. How did Jesus respond when they arrested Him? Ecclesiastes 10:4, “If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.”

When you are accused or insulted, be slow to anger and think, are you without sin? God knows your heart. Isaiah 33:22 tells us the Lord is our Judge, lawyer, and King. He will save us. And the same for us as accusers. James 4:12 tells us there is only one lawyer and judge. And it’s not us. 

Case dismissed.