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
I have ARRIVED
Dwells on MISTAKES
Failure means I am UNACCEPTABLE Failure means I am HUMAN
HAUNTED by the past
PERFORMANCE based acceptance GRACE based acceptance
Fear of LOSING 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