1 Corinthians 12:31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."
Have you ever noticed that God DOES NOT endorse a "spirit of perfectionism"? This often drives, torments and harasses a person to feel inadequate and worthless.
The scriptural concept behind this is that God expects our best--a spirit of EXCELLENCE but not perfection.
Look at the Strong's Concordance:
"Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God." 2 Samuel 22:33
tamiym 08549
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
a) complete, whole, entire
b) whole, sound, healthful
c) complete, entire (of time)
d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
Today, we can ask God to forgive us of our spirit of perfectionism and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness in this area and replace every spirit of perfection with a spirit of Excellence to always do our best for the glory of God alone.
2007-09-12 04:22:13 · 15 answers · asked by steinbeck11 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Greetings Sister in Christ,
Perfectionism and to be perfect.
This is better understood to be "mature" and as you stated; "to achieve excellence".
Babies in Christ learn what it means to be saved and that they are forgiven by the blood of Christ and that's about it.
As a teenager in Christ, to use that term, they may learn a great deal more such as the meaning of different parables and how they can be applied.
As an adult in Christ person begins to learn the interlinking of the Old Testament with the New, the prophetical teaching, and so forth.
As a person the become an Elder/Teacher they begin to not only know and apply all the above, plus++ much much more, but also be able to teach and show others in a way each will understand and be able to use.
To be perfect in the word means to mature in understanding and use of God's beautiful letter to us - the bible.
Keep in mind how Jesus replied to the ear tickler sent from the tempter:
Matthew 19:
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
First - many preachers miss that this one asked Jesus what "works" could be done!! As if it is works that can achieve eternal life!!
Second - Jesus shoots down the compliment - so
1. only God is good = perfect
2. humans can strive but cannot achieve this state.
Third - Jesus said Keep the commandments. And Jesus answered in another place what these are exactly!!
Fourth - Matthew 19:
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
He lacked what?
Maturity!! The ability to go from reliance on things human to the reliance on God and following Jesus. (reliance = faith)
This is not mean age but the point was made in "young man".
When a Christian relies on God and not bread alone then they begin to grow up.
We can not force this it must be found either in the emptiness of having a lot or in the pain of the world.
We choose to grow up and be mature.
If we have work to do this comes early in life if God needs us.
We may need to experience certain things of the flesh (to understand and be able to teach "against it") so maturity may come later.
Peace -C
2007-09-12 12:40:38 · answer #1 · answered by cordsoforion 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
unfortunately the Pharisaical teaching led to exactly what you are talking about. To be perfect in "actions". Jesus said they were all so so on the outside but a bunch of rotten bones on the inside.
Versus like 2 Samuel 22:33 were used by the scripture lawyers (scribes) to manipulate and control the people. All of the works they needed to do to be perfect was not what God's Commandments were about. Through the Sermon on the Mount and The Lord's prayer Jesus taught that this was our state of mind and not works, that it is Grace and not through something earned.
Jesus did not shame us. He taught in a way we could recognize and realize that God dwells within us when we confess and are baptized with the Spirit. Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
2007-09-12 14:02:58 · answer #2 · answered by ander 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please believe that I mean this in the kindest possible way, but you were never a Christian; you were a pharisee. You are correct that it is impossible to follow the Bible's teachings and not willingly sin. That's why Jesus died for us--so that we would acknowledge our utter helplessness in His eyes and ask Him to be Lord of our lives instead of trying to be our own lords. That's what the New Testament means by Grace, which it talks about constantly. I suspect that you have never genuinely believed in the love of God. God is giving you these promotions as hints to help you see that He loves you, and He has always loved you. You need to give your perfectionism up to Him. He wants to give you something better than you could have ever achieved on your own. Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock on the door that stands outside yourself, and it will be opened so that you can leave yourself and discover Him. Believe me; I know about perfectionism. I also know a little bit about the grace of God. It's better.
2016-05-17 21:54:04 · answer #3 · answered by carissa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a perfectionist in any days thought. People make mistakes. They're forgiven by God if he knows they really mean it. There are zealots who believe in perfectionism, but the truth about them is, they try to be perfect, but ALWAYS fall short, so they try to control others into doing what they couldn't. Perfectionists only want control, and no matter how much they get, they always want more.
2007-09-12 04:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by Uncertain Soul 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"tamiym" is the Hebrew and the definition you gave.
תמים : tä·mēm'
________________
The Greek is "teleios".
τέλειος : te'-lā-os
1) brought to its end, finished
2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness
3) perfect
4) that which is perfect
a) consummate human integrity and virtue
b) of men
1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Note the very last definition. Mature.
This "perfectionism" is an imposed thing that is imposed by what we are taught in the world, by the world, to impose a sense of failure to one degree or another or to pursue that which is opposed to God. This is taught so Christians waste time and do not take action or freeze up not thinking they have enough or know enough to "witness" through the power of the Holy Spirit that comes by worshiping God and being a disciple of Christ.
2007-09-12 13:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by OF 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are so right. When I was a new Christian I fell into that trap of thinking I had to be perfect. I don't think I fully understood grace and the fact that if we were able to attain perfection in this world then Christ would not have had to die. I now live for Christ so I strive to be like him but I know I will never achieve it in this lifetime with this flesh.
2007-09-12 04:32:54 · answer #6 · answered by Vanessa 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've never thought of myself as perfect, nor have i ever been told to strive for perfection. I just serve God the best that I can and he will do the rest. We Christians are a work in progress. God knows we aren't perfect which is why we sin and then are told to repent.
"Then I acknowledged my sin to You; I did not cover up my guilt... and You forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5
2007-09-12 04:31:42 · answer #7 · answered by Lov'n IT! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree we strive for excellence with God as our guide, and we continue to 'grow in the Lord' the more we study His word, and pray. Matt: 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." I'm sure we'll never reach the status of God's perfection, but I will strive forever to be 'as God' is.
2007-09-12 04:37:15 · answer #8 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well said. I have a problem w/ this issue. I want everything perfect in my world. I need to humble myself and concentrate more on what I can to my best for God. Thank you for reminding me of that.
2007-09-12 04:34:24 · answer #9 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is why if you look at an Amish quilt you will always find a humility square. Only God can make something perfect, so they intentionally leave one square with an obvious error. As they are flawed, so are their quilts. Me, I have a whole humility quilt!!
2007-09-12 04:29:43 · answer #10 · answered by usafbrat64 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋