Behavior

I used to think that becoming a “star” often led to bad behavior (sometimes I still do), perhaps because the constant focus of attention brings out the missteps that seem to follow some well known professional athletes.

It is not unusual to see, as we did this week a “star” who “was fined $2,000 by the U.S. Open after unleashing her wrath on an official who called her out for on court hindrance during Sunday’s women’s final.” (ABC News Online)

I am coming to believe, however, that the real issue may be that people with “bad behavior” sometimes become “stars.” In other words, it is not the stardom that creates the problem, but the inability (or unwillingness) to control one’s actions under pressure. We just see it publicly more often when individuals are in the “spotlight.”

When Jesus Christ comes to take up residence in an individual by His indwelling Spirit, we begin a journey of behavior modification. Old attitudes and habits are being removed and new actions and accountabilities are coming to fruition. We are, as Paul the Apostle said, “being transformed by the renewing of the mind” (Romans 12:2), and “old things have passed away and all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If the Scripture is True (and believe me, it is) we can tell a lot about the individuals around us by their behavior. Unredeemed or undisciplined – one of the two is an accurate description of those who “misbehave.”