Christ-like Traits | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Want to Be More Discerning? – Start from the Inside Out

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Discernment from the Inside Out
God is concerned not merely with us making the right choices in what we do but also for the driving forces within us … our motivations, our thoughts. That will drive our discernment.

I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. (Jer. 17:10)

God examines us from the inside out — our heart and mind, — and holds us accountable for what He sees.

His examination of our innermost being need not scare us if we remember that He loves us. Perfect love casts out fear because we know a loving God can only have our best in mind. In reality, the more we understand “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” we will actually invite Him to scrutinize us.

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. (Ps. 26:2-3)

God’s examination is key to us being discerning as we don’t see the full picture as He does.

We’re often blinded to our own biases and inappropriate motivations that skew our perception of life. We can let emotions govern our choices. Just because something feels right, however, doesn’t mean it is right. We can let negative thoughts cloud our judgment. Fear and doubts could hold us back from doing what is best. Worry, anxiety, and impatience could lead to compromise. For this reason, we begin with God. Pray similar to Psalm 139:23-24.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

If you want to be discerning, you need to be transformed from the inside out “by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2)

What Does it Mean for a Christ-follower to be an Example?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 7 Comments ↓

Though Scripture exhorts leaders to be examples (1 Pet. 5:2-3), we should all be examples as Christ-followers regardless of how we serve because we all represent Him (2 Cor. 5:20). Age does not exclude one from being an example (1 Tim. 4:12) so this applies to every person who trusts in Jesus.

Acrostic of What It Means to be an Example of Christ

Being an example means reflecting Jesus to those around you in a way that causes them to take notice, not of you, but of Christ in you. As an example you will:

Exemplify Christ in all you say and do

X-out sin and impurities from your life so people see Christ

Affect others with the love of Christ

Model Christ-like character & conduct

Position yourself under Christ so He is the Head

Line up with Christ in not only what you do but how you do it

Enhance people’s lives because of Christ in you

Diligence Matters

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Diligence seems to be a missing quality today. Perhaps busyness, lack or work ethic, or simply laziness are to blame. Diligence, however, is not optional but rather commanded in God’s Word.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim. 4:15-16)

Diligence in what?

Paul had just written to Timothy about personal integrity, devotion to the Word, and using his spiritual gifts (1 Tim. 4:12-14).

Carefully attend to your heart. Character matters.
Take great pains to keep the Word central. Truth matters.
Faithfully use what you have been given to serve. Stewardship matters.

What does it look like to be diligent?

Look at the surrounding words: give yourself wholly to them, watch closely, persevere in them

That is total absorption, not just doing enough to get by or to look good.

What are the benefits of being diligent?

Be Diligent. Watch Your Life and Doctrine Closely
What you do, or don’t do, not only affects your own life but others as well, which is why diligence is so important.

Personal Benefit:

Progress – You grow or advance.

Protection – You save yourself from many dangers.

Benefit to Others:

Pattern – They have an example when they look at your life.

Protection – They learn from you and avoid the hazards as well.

(Note: When verse 16 says “you will save both yourself and your hearers” it cannot refer to atonement for sin as Scripture clearly proclaims that only Jesus can save in that way. Rather, carefully attending to these things serves as a deterrent, preventative, and protection from so much that can beset us, hold us back, or bring ruin to our lives and testimonies.)

Diligence then, is not only a matter of obedience but it is also profitable. Let’s ask God to help us to be more diligent as we serve in the church and community, parent our children, and live to the glory of God in the workplace because character, truth, and stewardship matter in all of these settings, in whatever we do.

More for Church Leaders about Diligence

Walk with God: Being AND Doing

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 3 Comments ↓

The importance of a small word … AND … cannot be over-emphasized. A lopsided approach to our walk with God leads to deficiencies and inconsistencies.

Three key combinations of being and doing in the New Testament

Spirit AND Truth (Jn. 4:24)

Faith AND Works (James 2:14-26)

Grace AND Truth (Jn. 1:14, 17)

What Happens When we Take an Either/Or or Lopsided Approach:

If we focus on spirit, faith, and grace, we can potentially walk by emotion or licentiously. Experience matters most. We tend to make decisions subjectively. We can get caught up in the means or process to the neglect of the end result.

If we focus on truth and works, we can potentially walk cerebrally or legalistically. Evidence matters most. We tend to make decisions objectively but can be callous in the implementation. We can get caught up in the end result to the neglect of the means or process of getting there.

Note the “AND” in the Greatest Commandment:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart AND with all your soul AND with all your mind AND with all your strength. (Mk. 12:30)

God wants us to love Him with our emotions as well as our knowledge, our attitudes as well as our actions. And, God wants us to love Him with all, not some, of our heart, soul, mind, AND strength.

“Being” is the Starting Point in Our Walk with God

Who we are inside affects what we do so it is vitally important that we guard the heart above all else (Prov. 4:23).

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matt. 12:34)

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lk. 6:45)

Are you a Bible teacher? – The Be-Attitudes for Teachers book brings in this balance. This teacher training devotional puts a heavy emphasis on “being” but being that turns into doing what is best in the classroom.