“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV

I have decided that I would like to abolish a phrase from Christian thought & speech. “That’s not who I am naturally.” and/or “That’s not my gifting.”

Again, that first 6 words of that opening verse:
“Look carefully then how you walk…”
Examine what it is you are doing as you serve Christ. Look carefully at the fruit you are producing. Does it reflect Christ? Does it show reverence for Him and submission to others? if it does, then keep it up, that’s not what we do naturally, and that’s not what the world does.

Do you address others with Scripture and encouragement, making melody to The Lord with your heart? If you are, then keep it up! That’s not what we do naturally. We are inclined to sin, pride and error, just like the rest of the world.

As Christians, everything we do in Christ, all the things that define us, and make us stand out from the rest of the world…those are not the things that come easily, naturally and without effort. It takes work to walk as Jesus walked. It takes commitment to make melody with your heart. It takes humility to submit to the needs of others.

So, when presented with an opportunity for ministry of any kind, no, we are not going to do that naturally. That’s what we must fight against. If it is in regards to evangelism, people will say, “Oh, that’s not my gifting. That’s not what comes naturally to me.” And so we’re just supposed to accept that like it’s okay to think and act that way? No, it doesn’t come naturally to you, that’s why Jesus had to come and die, because you are naturally disobedient. That’s why Jesus made the Great Commission a daily command, not a Great Suggestion that we can get to just whenever we feel like it.

No. Walking as Jesus walked doesn’t come naturally. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit, so we could hear and see and understand things from His perspective. And no, it doesn’t all always get easier with time. Our struggle with pride is a daily thing. But it should become more and more the desire of our hearts to follow Christ, to be conscious of our walk, to walk soberly in this life, to address one another in a way that honors God and points others toward Him. Those things will come if we will be open to them, and to the work of the Spirit within us, and if we live in submission to others.

So, quit saying, “It’s not my gifting.” or “It’s not how I’m wired.” or “It’s not who I am naturally.” because Christ died to save you from that person, those attitudes and that lifestyle of sin and arrogance. If you really do want to live your life in Christ, walking as Jesus did, spending your life efforts to GoLove as Jesus first loved you, then let go of what comes naturally, and move with the Spirit. Be submissive to Him and those God would have you serve for His Name’s sake and live a life that matters.