God is “calling you out” on your selfishness and your need to be in control.

 

In a good book or movie, “bad people” are often those we love to hate. They provide the threat to propel a story forward and keep us in suspense. In our everyday world, we run into those who pride themselves in being “bad guys” or “bad girls.” From their perspective, this draws attention to them and invites others to live “on the edge” in their company. 

 

The writers of the song, “Bad Guy” explore this philosophy in the context of a guy/girl relationship. The song starts by describing the profile of the male and then takes a sharp turn into describing the female as a “bad guy” too. The writers say, “So you’re a tough guy, like it really rough guy, chest always so puffed up guy, I’m that bad type, make your mama sad type, make your girlfriend mad tight … I’m the bad guy, duh.”

 

This description shows one who is determined to be “equal” in badness. It is a relationship where both value their own territory of control while letting the other believe they are in control as well. Their identity is wrapped up in a call to be in charge, have the power and revel in the “tug of war” over depth of badness.

 

Galatians 5:13-15 shows us a better way, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” (New Living Translation)

 

Serving one another in love is easy to say and more difficult to do. We may have good intentions to love others, but our own needs and sense of entitlement can get in the way. To “love your neighbor as yourself” turns our pride upside down and brings us back to finding our self-image, our identity in Christ.

 

In what part of your relationships are you struggling to serve others in love? 

Where might God be “calling you out” on your selfishness and need to be 

in control?