“The reality is that an individual’s behavior is the most accurate indicator of his true character. Ultimately our behavior is simply the acting out of our deeply held values. This in no way suggests that we always like or endorse those things that we value. Quite to the contrary, we may, in fact, be quite disheartened and disgusted with ourselves for the things we value and we will be confronted by our unappealing and destructive values through behaviors that are problematic for us and for those with whom we interact” (Rima, Leading From the Inside Out, p. 37).
Enforcing behavior may be necessary for a time, but it is a poor and ineffective way to change lives.
While institutions need to have rules for a variety of situations, and while rules can serve as effective tools in discipleship, rules cannot change values.
Values are products of the human heart. We always live out of our loves, even when those loves are distasteful to us. This is a problematic thought for those who too closely associate love and emotion. But I think it is true. At the moment of any given action or thought, I am doing what I love to do, even though I may hate myself for it within a matter of mere seconds.
If we want to live differently, then we need to love differently. Rules cannot make me love something else. Neither can medication.
This is why the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all that we are (Matthew 22:37).
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