Bit, Bridle, & Behavior Modification
"Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by the bit and the bridle or they will not come to you." ~Psalm 32:7 Reading in the psalms the other day, this verse struck me like it hasn't before. We are commanded not to be like the horse and mule, led by external means but lacking understanding, but how often is that exactly what the people of God encourage? We start with the behavior, asking others to pursue a life of godliness before knowing Him intimately. Asking for obedience, not from those who have put their faith in Christ (even if they struggle with that commitment at times) but from those who do not yet know His life or the freedom His commands bring. Maybe because we want our kids to know God and right behavior seems like it'll put them on the path towards that. Maybe because we want people to act how we think is right. Maybe because we want people to know God, and behavior is easier to track, and thus it can feel ...
