BROKEN. Defined.
I have been asked several times about the meaning behind BROKEN, so I thought I would take the time to explain. The concept behind BROKEN is based on the passage Romans 7:15-20 (NIV).
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
The Apostle Paul is explaining in detail how he continues to do things he doesn’t want to do and he knows they are wrong, yet he does them anyway. However, he also tells us that it is not him, but the sin within him that does these things. He yearns to do good, but he can’t and thus, he continues to do wrong. It is his sinful nature.
You may say - Yeah, whatever… I don’t agree. It also says nothing good lives in me. Are you kidding? I’m not a bad person. I don’t steal, kill or even lie. Well, maybe “white lies”.
Well, I will use my own faults as an example.
As you will find out through other blog posts, I struggle in the car. I mean, I don’t like other drivers. You know the guy who decides to cut you off at the last minute and exit, almost causing you to veer off the road in order miss hitting him? Or the guy who proceeds to drive 30mph when the sign plainly states 45mph. Now, I don’t know these people and I have no idea what they may be going through at the time. Perhaps they are late to an appointment, or maybe they just got fired from their job, lost a loved one, got a tragic medical diagnosis. Or maybe they are just selfish and don’t care about anyone else. The reason they are driving in this manner does not matter and should not cause me to react in anger or frustration. Like I said, I don’t know them. So why do I get so angry and frustrated and filled with rage? They reveal my heart - my sinful heart. I do what I don’t want to do. I know I struggle with this and I do not want to do it, but I do it anyway. It’s a quick reaction, a habit that needs to be taken to God immediately. And if I didn’t have the relationship with Christ, I would carry this anger with me and it could lead to greater problems, such as hatred, rage, bitterness, and evil thoughts. And these could result in road-rage.
So by this simple illustration, you can easily see this inner struggle that can happen daily. This is just one example of doing something I do not want to do, but I do it anyway. What about you? Is there anything in your life that you keep doing, yet you know it is wrong? Even something you consider small? Maybe like being disrespectful or argumentative? What about always being negative no matter your circumstances? Or perhaps you continue to use colorful language when you know it is wrong. I invite you to take a look into your spiritual mirror and ask God to reveal your brokenness - your sin. Go to Him and ask His forgiveness and see what happens.
For if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
John 1:9 (NIV)