Summary: 1. God desires truth in our inward being (Ps. 51:6, John 8:31-32) - He wants the truth to go from the head knowledge to heart knowledge - speak truth in the lives of thoes around you 2. abiding in truth will set you free - continuous abiding in truth and obeying God will keep you continuously in freedom - "Some secular pychologists focus on self-esteem with the goal of simply feeling good about ourselves. A biblical self-concept focuses on self-worth based on an accurate perception of God, ourselves, and others." Dr. Steven Riser - we need to udnergo a transition from a (works) a "have to" mentality to (grace) a "want to" mentality - God desires to get to the root and replace the lie with truth 3. your internal belief system interprests your perception (Num. 13:30-33, Prov. 23:7) - emotion always trumps reason - people make decisions based on their emotions and then rationalize them - belief systems bring forth your emotions - when we get changed on the inside, it begins to show on the outside - four general lies people tend to believe - from Robert McGee in his book "The Search for Significance". 1. the performance trap - "I must meet certain standards in order to feel good about myself." - becasue I'm justified, I don't have to fear failure - true grace comes in our lives and we want to do the right thing Consequences: the fear of failure; perfectionism; being driven to succeed; manipulating others to achieve success; withdrawal from healthy risks, anger, resentment, pride, depression and low motivation. God’s Answer: Justification (by grace through faith)—just as if I had never sinned. Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Because of justification, I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God, I no longer need to fear failure. Results of God’s Solution: Increasing freedom from the fear of failure; desire to pursue the right things: Christ and His kingdom; greater love for Christ and desire to please Him through loving and serving others. 2.The Approval Addiction: “I must be approved (accepted) by others to feel good about myself.” Consequences: the fear of rejection; attempting to please others at any cost; overly sensitive to criticism; withdrawing from others to avoid disapproval, being easily manipulated, codependency; control, depression, etc. God’s Answer: Reconciliation—brought into a right relationship with God. Colossians 1:21-22: “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation...” Because of reconciliation, I am totally accepted by God. I no longer have to fear rejection. God is at peace with me. Results of God’s Solution: Increasing freedom from the fear of rejection; willingness to be open and vulnerable, able to relax around others; willingness to take criticism; desire to please God no matter what others think. How does God feel about me? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Substitute the word “God” for the word “love”. My Heavenly Father is: (1) Very patient and kind; (2) not envious, never boastful; (3) not arrogant; (4) never rude nor self-seeking; (5) not quick to take offense; (6) keeps no score of wrongs; (7) does not gloat over my sins but is glad when truth prevails; (8) knows no limit to His endurance, no end to His trust; (9) always hopeful and patient
