How do you like to define yourself?

It is obvious nine out of ten times we would not give a true estimate about ourselves. In fact, we convince ourselves we are good because of how we carry ourselves and also because of the respect we have earned in the society, workplace, Churches etc.  If by chance we hold a leadership position then it can make things even more difficult to realize and acknowledge who we are in reality. We get used to the praises and honor which furthers our conviction we must be a good and pious person. In the book of Proverbs 30:12 it says “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes yet is not washed in its filth”. Agur in this chapter predicts a generation, a mass who will hold on to this false sense of identity and purity. John Ortberg terms it as “Pseudo-Transformation”. The great danger that arises when we don’t experience authentic transformation is that we will settle for what might be called pseudo-transformation. 

Suppose someone were to ask you, “How is your spiritual life going these days?” Quick —what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? My first thought would be how I was doing at having a quiet time—praying and reading the Bible each day. If I had prayed and read the Bible for several consecutive prior days, I was likely to say that my spiritual life was going well. If not, I was likely to feel guilty and downcast. So, prayer and Bible study became the gauge of my spiritual condition. As long as I did those two things I could go through the day confident of God’s approval. Spiritual disciplines are not a barometer of spirituality. The sad fact as quoted in the book “Too soon to quit” by Warren Wiersbe; “Many people become burdened because they think God measures their spiritual performance on the basis of certain disciplines. The truth is both challenging and liberating.”. The true indicator of spiritual well-being is growth in the ability to love God and people. If we can do this without the practice of any particular spiritual disciplines, then we should by all means skip them.

Allow me to present the possible premises to understand our true identity:

1. You are what you think,

Thinking precedes our action In Proverbs 23:7 it says “For as he thinks himself, so he is..” NASB. It is estimated that our brains produce as many as 30,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day depending on how 'deep' a thinker we are. Further it is said that we have 42 thoughts per minute and in that 65-80% of our thoughts are negative and four positive thoughts are needed to change one negative thought. This is precisely why God in despair estimated man accurately and said “…that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5). What you feed your mind with is very important. Paul while sending Tychicus in Ephesus instructed him to bring few things he left in Troas, they are the cloak, books and parchment (2 Timothy 4:13).  Books (Food for your mind) and Parchment (food for your soul). This is what will saturate you with His love and you become more like Him. It will also help you to remain holy while you are alone, most of the time we go astray while we are left alone. It is said “You cannot sit and do nothing and be good”. Be engaged with Christ always.

2.You are how you respond and reach spontaneously,

C S Lewis puts this fantastically, “What a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth? If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.” C S Lewis further adds the excuses we provide to when we are taken off guard and our common responses are, “the provocation was so sudden and unexpected; I was caught off my guard, I had not time to collect myself.”. Psychologist calls it as “Unconsciously competitive” where we are successful without being reminded to accomplish certain activities to attain the status.  Matthew 12: 34 says “..Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” KJV. What comes out as a display normally and spontaneously is what has filled your heart in abundance. John Ortberg in his book “The Life you Always Wanted” quotes “God is not impressed by what we say we will do – he is impressed by what we do when we are put under pressure. Progress in life and in ministry happens when you are tried and tested, and you pass the test.”