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WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
Philippians 1:27

1 Peter 3:8-12

 

“…whether I come and see you,

or else be absent…”

 

WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING
 
During the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 lockdowns, when working from home became commonplace, there were reports of bosses who insisted that their employees keep their webcams on throughout the working day. They did not trust their subordinates and felt the need to continually monitor them to ensure that they were not slacking off.
 
While many would find such micromanagement excessive, intrusive and overbearing, in some ways we can understand where they are coming from. Our human tendency is that we alter our behaviour when we know that people are watching us. This is a common problem experienced not just by children; adults struggle with it as well. When we know that no one is watching us, we think we can do whatever we want – and this is often when we are up to no good.
 
This stems from the fact that we tend to be man-pleasers. We conduct ourselves in a certain manner only because of our bosses, our parents, our friends, our spouses, our teachers etc. We look to the one that has authority over us and seek to please him or her. The moment they are not there to monitor our conduct, we change.
 
As Christians this ought not to be! Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians was that whether he was there with them, or whether he was absent, it should not change the way they conduct themselves. His hope was that no matter what, he would continue to receive reports that they were indeed doing well spiritually, that they were walking close to the Lord, standing firm and striving for the Gospel.
 
Likewise, we must be consistent in our Christian conduct. We must remember why we consistently obey the Lord and walk in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel. It is not something we do just for show. We do so because we love the Lord, and desire to live for Him. We must act consistently according to the Word of God regardless of whether other people see and know because we are doing it for God alone!
 
THOUGHT: How do I conduct myself when I am all alone?
PRAYER: May my life of holiness be not just a façade but a true expression of my desire to live for Thee, Father.

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