15 Feb 2012 2 Comments

Free from the Stronghold of Perfectionism

Curiously, we are imperfect beings who are striving for perfection. When we don’t recognize our need for God in all we do, our own imperfectness increases. We cannot reach perfection without the Lord. Flawed, finite minds won’t see this until we first submit to God and his word.

The arrogance of thinking we can reach perfection without God reduces our ability to reason, to make the right decisions, and to implement the decisions we do make. If we are able to reach a goal on our way to perfection without God, we eventually set an absolute failure in motion. The result can cause a catastrophic effect that may take days, years, or even generations to recognize–even longer to correct.

Luke 16:15 “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

When, in our thoughts, we realize we’re headed in the wrong direction, we attempt to justify our actions by flawed arguments. We hope to gain momentum by gaining support. If we gain support for an imperfect path to a goal excluding God or His Word, we draw others into a stronghold of perfectionism with us. Always striving. Never really succeeding. Superficial success ending in disaster.

This stronghold of perfectionism invites prejudices, intolerance, anger, hate, rage, and any number of strongholds to hang on to a false sense of rightness.

5 Biblical tips to overcome perfectionism:

1. Admit that you are flawed. Infinite perfection cannot be achieved from the works of a finite being. Put yourself in God’s hands and allow Him to work through you.

Psalm 18:30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Isaiah 64:6 For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God's favor, hurrying us toward destruction].

2. Follow God’s laws. Particularly the one to love.

Psalm 19:7-10 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. ⁸The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes. ⁹The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the  ¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

3. Follow God’s Word. His word is true and his way is perfect.

John 1:1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word ( Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

2 Samuel 22:31 God’s way is perfect! The promise of the Lord has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

4. Wait patiently and eagerly for His second coming. In the meantime, do the best you can using the word of God in all your decisions, plans, and attempts to do good.

1 Corinthians 13:9-11 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

5. Renew your mind and thinking to conform with scripture. Move forward to any achievement in love, keeping God’s will in mind.

Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; ²³And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], ²⁴And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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• Free from the Stronghold of Ambiguity (polamuzyka.wordpress.com)
• Free from the Stronghold of Idolatry (strongholdsmashers.com)

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by Pola in Bible, Biblical Advice, Christian Authors, Jesus Christ, Perfect, Pola Muzyka, Religion, Stronghold Tags: Bible, Biblical Advice, Christian, Jesus Christ, Perfectionism, Pola Muzyka, Religion, Stronghold, Word