I HUMBLY ASK JESUS TO HELP ME TO RECOGNIZE AND REPENT FROM THESE FLAWS IN MY CHARACTER AND TO BECOME MORE SENSITIVE TO THESE AREAS OF SINS IN MY LIFE THAT I HAVE BEEN HELD CAPTIVE TO (JOHN 8:34). I ALSO ASK HIM TO HELP ME TO LEARN A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE RATHER THAN A FEELING OR DESIRE-ORIENTED LIFE AND RECEIVE HIS FORGIVENESS FOR LEADING SUCH A LIFE.

In Principle 3, I made the decision to turn from the things of the past. Now, by faith I have come to the point in Principle 7 where this decision becomes a "reality." James 4:10 states, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." There will be times I will experience the temptation to believe God is not granting my request for deliverance from my sin or sins. There are numerous reasons for this, but one may be that I have not fully given this issue over to God or simply put, my impatience. I cannot ask God for deliverance from a sin and then keep committing it at the same time. If I ask God for help, I must believe that He will help me. I must humble myself and turn completely away from my sin, whatever it is, and then learn to recognize these temptations and turn immediately to the LORD for help from His provided resources and strength to resist.

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross has paid the price for all my sins in full. Now I have the opportunity for that forgiveness to become a reality. I need to receive this forgiveness in the areas that God revealed to me during the period of time and process of Principles 4 through 6.

Psalm 41:4—

Who have I truly sinned against?  If God already knows my thoughts, why do I have to ask?  Am I really ready to let God heal me?

Psalm 51:1-13—

Have I been a sinner from birth? (compare with (cf) Psalm 58:3; Isaiah 48:8)  Do I realize that sin was not a choice or learned behavior and that I am a slave to it?  Am I beginning to live a life of honesty and obedience before God as I surrender more and more of my life to my loving Savior? (cf Romans 6:16; 8:5)

Proverbs 1:7—

What does the phrase "fear of the Lord" mean? (Jeremiah 32:39-40) Why do "fools despise wisdom and discipline"?  What am I truly afraid of? Facing myself? Family? Success? God? Satan? Responsibility? What others think of me? Debt? It goes on and on.

Proverbs 15:33—

If the "fear of the LORD" teaches a man wisdom, what teaches me humility? (cf Proverbs 16:18)  Define what "honor" is. How does humility bring honor?  Does humility come by confessing to my brothers in the Lord and asking them to pray for my healing?

Proverbs 22:4—

What will "humility and the fear of the LORD" bring me according to this verse?  What is the meaning of riches or wealth used in this verse?  Is this principle being applied in my life now and am I seeing these benefits manifested?

Matthew 18:1-4—

What does it mean to become "like a little child"?  What hinders me from "becoming like a little child"?  What does it means to "humble myself as this little child"?

Luke 18:10-14—

What were the mind sets and focuses of the Pharisee and the tax collector as they prayed? What was the difference? Why was the tax collector justified?  What will keep me from becoming Pharisaic in my mind set as I grow in the LORD?  Write down an example of when both of these mind sets (prideful and humble) have affected my walk? What effect do they have on my focus?

1 Peter 5:6-7—

How do I humble myself? What am I to do with my anxiety?  Can I be "beaten down" and still not be humble?  Do I really believe that God will be true to His word and remove my defects?

Matthew 3:1-2—

What hinders me from repenting? What is my pattern for rebellion?  How can I know that my repentance is real? (cf 2 Corinthians 7:11)  How have I seen the kingdom of heaven in my life since I accepted the LORD as my Savior?

Proverbs 20:9 (cf Jer 13:23; Job 14:4)—

Can anyone say this? Why can’t I say it?  Why am I deceived into believing that I’m doing better than I truly am doing?

Proverbs 28:13—

What is the difference between "confessing" and "renouncing"? Give examples of both.  Is it possible to deceive myself into thinking that I have concealed my sin from everyone, including God?  What does "prosper" mean to you as it is used here? What is promised when we confess our sins?

Psalm 32:5—

What does "cover up my iniquity" mean?  What should I do when I have "hidden sin" in my life?  Do I "believe in my heart" that, when I confess, God really forgives me?

1 John 1:9—

What does God do when I confess my sins? Is there a waiting period?  Have I really learned to receive God’s forgiveness? How do I know that I have? What do I do when I don’t believe this truth? (cf 1 John 3:20)  What is the difference between feeling the forgiveness of God and knowing the forgiveness of God?

Hebrews 11:6—

What does the word "faith" mean? (cf 11:1) How am I renewed by God? Note the word "earnestly."  Do I really believe and expect God to remove my defects?  Can I trust God as a "rewarder"? Can I receive these rewards when God gives them to me?

Copyright © 2004 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 Calvary Chapel Boise.