The first two chapters of Malachi left me reflecting on a concerning trend we’re all vulnerable to if we’re not careful.

On three different occasions, God makes a claim about himself or points out a shortcoming in his people.

However, rather than take God at his word, they argue with him, claiming ignorance or demanding he prove his statement.

It’s easy to convince ourselves we’d never do such a thing, but if we’re honest, we do it all the time. We stifle our conscience. We pretend we don’t really know what’s right. We justify being selective about which parts of scripture we follow. We shift the blame and make excuses when we fall short.

The patterns of Genesis 3 have been on repeat since that tragic moment in the garden.

However, we don’t have to keep repeating the pattern. Each time we face something or feel the weight of conviction, it presents us with a choice. We’re given an opportunity to step off the wide road and return to the narrow path, but God won’t make that decision for us. We have to step out in faith each time.