Craig Clouston

Our Best Behavior

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord.
Isaiah 29:15

David was a different person when his father wasn't around. He openly opposed his mother, defying her authority. But when his father was home, he was on his best behavior. So when his mother broached the subject to her husband about their son’s increasing disrespect, he had a hard time believing her accusations of insolence.
“I’m sorry, Tammy,” Trace said doubtfully, “but I can’t imagine David intends you such disrespect. Are you sure you’re not just misjudging his actions?”
“Do you seriously think I would lie about something like this?” she asked. “I’m not doing this to get attention. Our son is treating me like dirt!”
Trace knew he’d said the wrong thing. He headed for work, unsure of what to do. Deciding to show up unannounced to see if he could discover the truth, he left work a couple hours early that evening. Arriving home, he slipped in the back door. In complete shock, he arrived just in time to hear David call his mother a vulgar name, telling her he didn't have to do what she said!
“Mister.” Trace saw panic in David’s eyes as he stepped into the room. “If you ever say anything like that to your mother again, it’ll be the last thing out of your mouth for a long time!” He was livid. He couldn't believe what he’d just heard his son say; even worse, he couldn't believe he’d doubted his wife. “You apologize right now. Then you and I are going upstairs.”

†

When we remember God is watching, we, like David, are on our best behavior. However, our forgetters work very well. During those times we become an alter ego of our best-behavior self, slandering and cursing those around us. We do unseemly things that affect our relationship with God and those we love.
It is unbelievable the depths to which we descend when we forget that God is watching. And when reminded of that fact during our worse than abhorrent behavior, we experience shame and repentance.
We all share this weakness. But through conscious effort, we can minimize the resurgence of our evil selves.

Prayer

“Lord, forgive me when I act unreasonable. Remind me when I fail to remember You never turn away. Amen.”