Not long ago our youngest daughter (who was 7 at the time) was working on her weekly devotion. The question my wife read to her was…

Are you usually responsible or irresponsible?

Our daughter sat back and thought it about for a moment, then carefully said, “I don’t know how to answer that. I mean…sometimes I’m responsible, but sometimes I’m not responsible.”

Our daughter’s answer to that questions is the same answer we should give as well. The truth is, we all have moments of greatness and moments of gruffness. We all struggle with the tension of being responsible for our actions, thoughts, and words and being irresponsible with them. There is a spiritual dissonance that occurs within us. The faithful person within us is trying to get out, but the faithless monster within us fights against it. The apostle Paul also knew about this struggle.

Romans 7:15 (NIV)

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

So how do we allow the faithful person within us to come alive more often than not? How do we begin to walk in victory over the monster? How do we move from shifting between being responsible and irresponsible?

There are 3 ways to be less Responsibly Irresponsible

1) Forgive Yourself

First of all, you need to be able to forgive yourself of the maniac within. We ALL, and I mean ALL, have an angry, frantic, faithless hulk within us that gets released at all the wrong times and for all the wrong reasons. Do not think that because you have a dark side that you are different or abnormal. Everyone struggles with the sinful nature within. Quit thinking you are more terrible and darker than anyone else. The key to walking in victory is learning how to forgive yourself and seeing your journey as a process not a destination. We don’t wake up one day with all the answers–perfect in every way. We are all working out our salvation each and every day. Shake off the dust from your hulk moments and pick up the pieces as you move forward. Understand that God’s power to forgive is bigger than your failures that condemn.

2) Fight Your Inner Sabotager

Life is a daily battle with our inner hulk. I am not sure you will ever defeat this monster on this side of life, but you can subdue and silence its influence more and more. We will always face the monster within, unfortunately it doesn’t ever really go away, but rest assured you can and do have victory over it. It is a battle that starts the moment your fight bell…I mean alarm clock rings. It’s game on at that point. Don’t get tired during the fight but keep going strong. The monster will fight you and tell you how bad you are as he reminds you of everything you did, you are doing, and you will do.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

As you stand strong and step out for God He will give you all you need to keep going. Don’t ever believe you don’t have what it takes to overcome, because YOU ARE an overcomer through Christ!

3) Focus On Your Freedom In Christ

It does no good to focus on your faults, failures, and frustrations. In fact, the more you think about them the worse off you become. This isn’t some phycological mumbo jumbo…this is spiritual warfare. The enemy wants you to be consumed by your short comings, but don’t allow him the space and time. There is no fruit in thinking about our failures. This is why the bible encourages us to think about our salvation and hope we have in Christ.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

We are called to set our hearts on things above. Set our hearts on things that are honoring and uplifting, not on the things that bring us down. That is the enemy’s game; to discourage us with everything that is going wrong. When you focus on what you aren’t doing for God, you miss some of the great things you are doing for God. Get your thoughts in check and focus on who you are in Christ, not on who you aren’t. We have been set free by the cross of Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes on Him, who is the glory and lifter of your head.