The Person I Want you
to Think I Am
This is pure facade. It
is the hypocrite who wears masks and uses
psychological makeup to give a false impression.
This is the manipulator who tries to present an
image to others of what he really isn’t. It is the
fake in us. It is the world of pretending and
deceptions. Not only do we deceive others, but we
deceive ourselves. It is hard to stop playing the
game of make–believe once you begin. (Cf. Mark.
7:6-15, 20-23; Galatians 1:10; 2 Corinthians
3:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6).
The Person You Think I
Am
Here lies my "blind
spots." I can’t see them, but you can. We all have
these areas, and they are not all bad. Some of us
can’t see the good characteristics and qualities in
our own lives. This area has its strengths and its
weaknesses. This is a great potential for personal
and spiritual growth. (Cf. 1 John 3:2; 1
Thessalonians 2:10-13; 1 Corinthians 1:10).
The Person I Think I
Am
This is the person I know
and see. It is, as best I can tell, the real me.
These are my self–perceptions, dreams, hopes,
ambitions, etc. Much of this person I do not know
how to articulate, and a lot I am afraid to share
with others. It has its good, wholesome, positive,
Christ–centered characteristics. It also recognizes
the flesh, sin and weaknesses. This person I can
share with you if I so desire. You can know this
person only to the degree that I am open, honest,
genuine and transparent (Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18;
Romans chapters 6-8).
The Person Neither of
Us Knows
This is the part hidden
deep within me. It contains the concealed secrets of
my subconscious mind. Only the Spirit of God knows
this part of my life. Jeremiah, the prophet,
realized this when he wrote: "The heart is deceitful
above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand
it?" (Cf. Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 1:6; Mark 7:20-23; 1
Corinthians 2:11-13; 13:12, NIV; Romans 1:21ff).
The Person that I Want
to Become
This is the person I am
becoming by the grace of God. This represents all my
hopes, desires, goals, ambitions, etc. Who is it I
want to become in the Christian life? If I were
guaranteed 100% success at doing something in the
next three years, what would I do? The Apostle Paul
understood this aspect of spiritual growth when he
wrote 1 Corinthians 2:9-16.
Some Abiding
Principles
Each of us has potentials
for growth that we have never considered before.
Some of these are hidden from our eyes. We need
someone to point out these possibilities and help us
find the resources for personal growth and
development (Cf. Colossians 1:27-29; Ephesians
4:22-24; Philippians 3:10-14; 2 Corinthians 2:8).
It is easy to wear
psychological makeup. Not only do we deceive others,
but we deceive ourselves. When we ask ourselves the
question "Who am I?" we really don’t know, and we
are afraid to find out. Do I really want an honest
reflection of myself? Am I out to make a favorable
impression on others? Who am I trying to please?
Why? (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:4; James 5:16; 1 John
1:9).
There are "warts" that
need to be removed. No, it is not easy to face some
of these needs. This is when we want a close,
intimate friend who loves and accepts us for who we
are. This individual must treat us with respect,
unconditional love and acceptance if change is to
take place without emotional scars. Sorry, but there
aren’t many of this breed around, and we all bruise
easily. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5-8; Gal. 5:25-6:5;
John 15:2ff).
We need courage to tell
legalistic Pharisees where to get off. We can
tactfully and assertively tell them the Holy Spirit
is working on our splinters, and they need to work
on their stumps (Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:7, 12; Luke
16:15; Galatians 1:10).
If there is a tendency to
be a modern legalist, STOP! The most burning words
of Jesus were to Pharisees, ancient and modern.
Growing Christians need mature love, not hostile,
indifferent, immature, critical nit–pickers. The
Holy Spirit is fully capable of doing His job. (Cf.
Matthew 6-11, 18-20; 18:1; John 7:24).
Some Practical
Applications
To what extent are you
allowing the Holy Spirit to work in these five areas
of your life? In which area are you most threatened?
Why?
Read I Corinthians
2:9-16. What has the Spirit been teaching you from
the Word of God in the past six months?
Thinking back over "the
five people who live in you," pick something in each
of these categories to work on during the next
month. Be specific. Develop a plan of action for
personal growth. Write out a behavioral contract
with yourself stating specifically what you will do,
when you will begin and what you hope to accomplish.
Title: Five People
Who Live Inside Us
Series: Beatitudes
and Personal Growth
