One man is silent when called to open his mouth. Another’s speech with his wife is seasoned with napalm rather than grace. Each man is called to a higher standard but in each case God’s clear instructions are being set aside and rationalized away. Each man pursues God’s plan in his own way, amending God’s Word and the call of God’s Spirit in order to follow his feelings.
With 80/20–selective–obedience, the 20 percent always sinks you.
As Paul warned Timothy, many men serve their own interests by having “a form of godliness but denying its power.” For instance, men know when they are sexually violating God’s law, but they continue to unzip their pants anyway. Husbands know when they are tearing down their spouses, but they continue the verbal tirades. Fathers know when their kids are just dying for some time with Dad, but they find other things to do anyway. In contrast, when God’s man is tempted to enter 80/20 territory, he does what God would rather have him do–even if it’s less convenient or not nearly as fun.