The first step to overcoming accurate self-perceptions that are sinful is to be sure that you understand the doctrine of progressive sanctification. Progressive Sanctification is the process that involves our cooperation with the Holy Spirit that makes us more like Christ. We are told in Galatians 5:16 “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” The word “walk” is in the present tense and is a command indicating that this is a continued regular action that we are to follow. Our problem is that we do two things that hinders this process. 1. We do not “put off” and “put on.” In other words we are so busy trying to stop a behavior, that we forget that as creatures of habit we need to establish a new habit in order to overcome the old habit that we are struggling with. When we are pushed into a corner by temptation, if we are not replacing a sinful approach with one that is godly, we will revert to what we know to do, which is to sin. “putting on the new man” (Ephesians 4:24) gives a new and godly action that will lead to victory. 2. … READ MORE

If you want to have a biblical view of who you are, understanding and accepting the truth about our sin is the most important area of our value judgments. It is key because the guilt associated with our behavior can lead to misery, depression and apathy. As long as we know that we are not working and gaining victory in our lives we live a defeatist Christian life. Unless we bein to deal wit the sinful habits in our lives, and grow in in our victory, we will struggle with who we are before God and others. We do that by understanding the truth and allowing it to play out in our lives. The key here is to learn to replace habits that lead to sin with good patterns of thinking and action. Jesus said in John 8:32 “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” This week we want to begin to challenge ourselves to live in victory.… READ MORE

As you struggle to overcome value judgments that are not sinful, I want to continue to give you some things to work through in your thinking: 1. Remember that godly character is more valuable to God and therefore more to be desired than outward appearance or human abilities – We must replace our temporal value system with an eternal value system (1 Tim. 4:7-8) 2. Learn to identify and correct legalistic, perfectionistic, and ascetic thought patterns. These are thought patterns that elevate man-made laws to the same level of God-given commands (legalism), Take an all or nothing mentality whose subjective standard is higher and more exacting that that of the Bible (Perfectionistic), or The belief that God is somehow necessarily more pleased if I punish myself for my inadequacies. 3. Stop comparing yourself to others – This is one of the greatest causes of unbiblical value judgments – God made each of unique in our abilities, and we cannot compare ourselves to others because each of us are different.4. Learn how to glory in your infirmities, knowing that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. – God delights in taking our natural weaknesses and using them to demonstrate His great … READ MORE