I CONTINUE TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORIES AND WHEN I AM WRONG, I PROMPTLY ADMIT IT.

If I am to live for Christ I must continue to grow and mature in Him. This is His sole responsibility and is accomplished through the process called sanctification. Sanctification is not a series of growth spurts, but a continuous and steady process into holiness. If I do not continue to grow, mature, or experience the ongoing blessing of an abundant life in the Lord Jesus Christ, I will become fearful of change and become stagnant, stunted, or enter into a relapse condition.

There are great blessings and a newfound freedom in the ability to admit to God and others when I am wrong. It is a great discovery when I find out I do not always have to be right. When I speak "God’s Word," I hopefully speak truth in love and with great power to heal. But when I speak "my words," I am sometimes wrong and inflict great wounds and sometimes, irreparable harm. In such cases, I am to promptly admit it, then seek forgiveness and reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24). These will eliminate the chances of bitterness, resentments, guilt, shame, or record of wrongs to grow within my heart and conscience.

Remember, as long as I reside in the light and live and grow in it, God will continue to reveal the areas in my life that must be cleansed. The Apostle Paul told me that if I would judge myself I would not be judged (1 Corinthians 11:31). As these areas or incidents arise, I will learn to confess them and ask the Lord to forgive me. The evidence of my forgiveness will result in my works of turning away from these practices, habits, or patterns.

1 Peter 1:22-23—

How have I purified myself? Was this accomplished through faith by works or works alone?  What part does obedience in the Spirit play in this process? Is this a manifestation of change in me?  What does "loving one another deeply" or fervently have to do with Principle 10? Is this an emotional love or an action in love?  Birth is a beginning, not an end. What has manifested in my life that shows me that the seed that has been birthed in me is incorruptible or imperishable?

Luke 12:1-2—

What does hypocrisy mean? Give some examples of how I have now guarded myself against hypocrisy.  Is refusing to admit that I am wrong a form of hypocrisy? Is it a form of arrogance? (compare with (cf) Revelation 3:17)  What are some of the results that I have had to experience from my hypocrisy?

Ephesians 4:25-26—

What does the principle of this verse mean? How is it applied to everyday life? (cf Philippians 3:15-16)  How is it possible to "be angry and sin not"? Is this possible for me? Have I ever been able to do this?  Is anger a sin? What should I do if I am angry or get angry with my fellow brethren? What happens to me when I "let the sun go down on my anger" and wake up angry the next day?

2 Timothy 2:14-15—

How am I to "correctly handle the Word of God"? What are some of the ways that I can "present myself to God as one approved"? Can I be humble and confident at the same time?  Does this mean that I must be aware of the words and war stories that I speak?

2 Timothy 2:23-24—

Can Christians still have stupid and foolish opinions? Can these opinions lead to stupid actions?  Should I argue with others about scriptures and their meaning? If not, why not?  Will "promptly admitting when I am wrong" help me to avoid "foolish and stupid arguments”"?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a—

What does Love do? What does Love not do? Am I weak in any of these areas? Which ones?  How will "continuing to take a personal inventory" help me to live out these truths?

1 Corinthians 13:11—

How do I determine or discern that the things that I have in my life are still childish?  Is growing up or maturing a painful process at times? Give an example. Give an example of how you know that you have grown and matured in Christ. What changes have manifest and become obvious?

Philippians 2:1-4—

How does "continuing to take an inventory" help me to be "one in spirit and purpose"?  Unity is a fruit of the Spirit of God and is a life-giving principle to all Christians. Am I for my brothers completely?  Using just one word, sum up what these scriptures are directing me to do.

Romans 12:3—

How do I know that I’m thinking more highly of myself than I ought? What works of the flesh are evident when I am? How do I keep from thinking about myself too much?  Will practicing this principle in my life help me think more soberly and have more sober judgment?

1 Corinthians 10:12-13—

What is the difference between being humbly confident and being cocky or arrogant?  What should I do when I am tempted to sin? Am I always standing as "firm" as I think I am? What obvious fruits and works manifest in my life to show me my strength in the LORD?  What are some of the things and ways God provides me so that I can stand against temptation?

1 John 1:9—

What resource do I have if I sin?  Is it necessary to "renounce" sin as well as to "confess" it? What is the difference between regret and repentance? Can forgiveness be granted if I only regret my sin?  What is my part in this process? What is God’s part?

1 John 2:1-2—

How and why does Jesus speak in my defense?  Is anyone excluded from the "atoning sacrifice" of Jesus?  How do I know that I have received and accepted God’s forgiveness?

Hebrews 9:11-14—

These verses tell me that Jesus, my High Priest, has shown me the good things to come by providing a purified entrance into the Most Holy Place. List all that He did here.  Have I received the cleansing work of the "blood"? How do I know? How does this principle help in this process?

Philippians 2:12-15—

What does "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" mean? Does it mean that I am to do "works"?  How do the attitudes of complaining, arguing, and disputing keep me from becoming blameless, harmless, or pure?  According to the truth written here in these verses, is it then possible to be blameless, harmless, and pure children of God without fault?

1 Peter 2:16-17—

How am I to use my newfound freedom? Am I using my freedom as a cover-up for evil or as a cloak for vice? Is my life bringing in the light of God to the lives of others? Is it bringing conviction or condemnation to others?  What are some of the ways that I can misuse the freedom that God has given me by His Grace?

James 1:22—

Have I ever deceived myself by hearing only and not doing what the Word has instructed me? Give an example.  What works manifests in my life when I’m listening only and not doing the Word?  Is this principle a part of a "normal Christian’s" life? Why would God have all of us apply this principle to our lives?

If I, by faith, apply the truths that I have learned and found written in scriptures while studying this principle, I can be assured that I will have peace with my Savior and fellow man. The fruit born from my efforts and works will be given back to me on my “day of rewards” in the form of a crown. In this life I will grow in favor with both God and man because LOVE will be manifest and obvious as my source of power and my goal in this life.

Copyright © 2004, 2008 Randall Nurmi 
All Rights Reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the author. Printing this material for personal use only is allowed. For permission, please contact Chris Johnson at Pure Word Ministries.