The Power of an Honest Evaluation

SERIES:  God’s Repairs for Your Broken Spirit

 

Romans 12:3 NLT

3    Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

 

John 8:44 NLT

44     For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

 

Satan will make you feel GOOD about yourself when you should feel BAD.

 

Matthew 5:48 NLT – But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:6-7 NLT – 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

 

Christians are called to be pursuers of EXCELLENCE not prisoners of PERFECTIONISM.

 

Perfection                                                                 Excellence

I have ARRIVED                                                      I am in PURSUIT

Dwells on MISTAKES                                              Learns from MISTAKES

Failure means I am UNACCEPTABLE                Failure means I am HUMAN

HAUNTED by the past                                           HEALED from the past

PERFORMANCE based acceptance               GRACE based acceptance

Fear of LOSING God                                             Confident I ALWAYS have God

 

How to excel as a Christian:

EXCHANGE your efforts for Christ dependency

2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT – Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

 

XPECT failure

CANCEL condemnation

Romans 8:1 NLT – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

 

Eliminate unrealistic expectations

Learn to laugh at yourself

Proverbs 17:22 NLT – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

 

Seven reasons why you are not as bad as you think:

1.                  EXPECTATIONS are unrealistic

2.                  Your FOCUS is too narrow

3.                  People let you DOWN

4.                  Extremely difficult CIRCUMSTANCES

5.                  The LARRY HOLMES syndrome

6.                  Where you are does not DEFINE you

7.                  Don’t prejudge the FINAL RESULTS