Practice Makes . . . ?

Deryn van der Tang
Conditions Of The Heart. 2007
Watercolor on Bockingford Cold Pressed watercolor paper
12 x 24 inches

People tell me all the time that they wish they could draw better than a stick figure. I ask them how much time they spend drawing. They answer — never. Drawing well is no different than any other skill, it takes practice to learn and get better. The same is true for musicians, sports, gardeners…anything. Including spiritual virtues.

We are all born with a sinful nature, we learn truth, honor, righteousness, purity, lovely, excellence, and commendable things as we grow. Our surroundings, our parents, and our experiences shape and mold our character. But the things worthy of His praise come from Him who created us. No matter your religious beliefs or lack of—everything good comes from God. That’s an audacious statement, I know, but I didn’t make it up. Jesus words, “The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.” Matthew 12:30. That’s not to say only believers can do good things. There is good and evil in the world, but evil comes from the enemy of God (James 4.4). Period. Yes, even someone who does good may do it from a place of self-ambition rather than humility (Phil 2.3). The goal is to do things that are purely worthy of His praise.   

Here's the thing. We can’t just pray for these things and poof we become virtuous. The Holy Spirit will mold us through opportunities to practice virtues. There are two reasons to practice anything. One is for the novice to learn and get better (new believer). The second is for the connoisseur to maintain the skill (mature believer).  Our role model is Jesus. Read, absorb, and practice His life on Earth, daily.

*** A Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that you teach me, guide me, and bring me opportunities to be more and more like Jesus. Help me remember that this is a lifelong process and give me Your peace along the way. Encourage me when I mess up and reset me on the right track. Thank you for leaving your throne in heaven and coming to us as a vulnerable infant and showing us the way. In your precious name Jesus, Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
— Philippians 4.8-9 (NASV)

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
— James 4:4(NASV)

Emphasis mine.