Examination vs. Condemnation – October 20 Devotions
Have you ever wondered about the difference between examining yourself and your life, so you can correct flaws and improve yourself – versus condemning yourself for whatever flaws you possess and perpetually feeling bad about them, so you are unable to grow and move forward?
Examination is meant to help you acknowledge the flaws so you can improve–condemnation only makes you feel bad, and can even lead to depression and inability to do what’s necessary to improve your life.
Onto today’s devotional thought …
“There is a great difference
between examination and condemnation.
Examination helps us prove to ourselves that we are in Christ
and He is in us, and in Him we have been set free from sin.
Condemnation keeps us mired in the very sin
we feel condemned about.
It does not deliver us–it traps us!
It weakens us and saps all our spiritual strength.
We give our energy to feeling condemned
rather than living righteously.
There is such a thing as excessive self-examination,
and I personally believe it opens the door
for much of the unbalance
we see today in this area among God’s children.
To be overly introspective
and continually examining our every move
opens the door to Satan.
**Examine, but don’t condemn.**
God has forgiven confessed sin so you can move forward.
He isn’t dwelling on it; why should you?
Pray: Lord, I ask You to search my heart
and expose any sin in my life.
I refuse to get trapped
in endless introspection and condemnation.
Set me free from all sin. Amen.”
–Joyce Meyer in “The Confident Woman Devotional”
~~*~~
My reflections:
This one is such a good reminder not to focus so much on faults and past problems that we impede our own growth. It’s far too easy to get hung up on the negatives instead of the positives, and sabotage our lives as our own worst enemies.
~~*~~
So what are YOUR thoughts?
Do you routinely examine yourself and your life? Does self-condemnation ever threaten to prevent you from growing and improving yourself?
25 thoughts on “Examination vs. Condemnation – October 20 Devotions”
I hold on to grudges forever. I just don’t know how to let go.
I have condemned myself many times. Now I try to make things better.
LizZ H. recently posted..Plan With Me Weekly
I am a so quick to forgive everyone else’s imperfections, but really struggle with accepting and forgiving my own. Grace is the only answer, but I sometimes resist opening myself to it. Thanks for the encouragement in this post.
I am trapped in a cycle of self loathing that I don’t know how to break out of and sadly it is the increase of technology and our childhood that determines how we view ourselves.
Ana De- Jesus recently posted..I’m Feeling 22
It wasn’t until I went through coach training that I really learned the skills to take a look at my own imperfections without beating myself up for them.
Although, sometimes, it’s the other way round for me. I have to have my behaviors pointed out to me before I see what I’m doing.
Jenn Alex Brockman recently posted..Why Healthy Isn’t always Low Carb
I just try to keep moving forward. You can’t change the past no matter how hard you might try
Patty recently posted..Save Money on your Cellphone Bill with Ting
You cant change the past. So I look to change today.
tara pittman recently posted..A Satisfying Healthy Gluten-free Snack Bar That Tastes Great
I agree, and think we need to learn and grow from past mistakes.
Shann recently posted..Voxbox Reveal
Life is always a forward motion. We need to look at the blessings to come and lot back at mistakes.
I think and reflect each day I could always be better than Iam based on my actions today
dana vento recently posted..Clean Plate Club For Cats
I tend to be a pretty optimistic person and refuse to allow negative thoughts about myself or anything else take control.
Chanelle recently posted..Top 10 Costco Finds
I do not hold on to grudges and I am hard on myself but more forgiven towards others.
Patrice M Foster recently posted..Teen Depression & Mild Eating Disorder
I love the quote. A lot of times I examine myself, but there are times that I’m too hard on myself.
Ourfamilyworld recently posted..Most Inappropriate Kids TV Shows Ever
I think I am a bit too hard to myself.. ;( I examine myself too often and make it too difficult
rika recently posted..Fall Footwear Trends #WalkYourWorld
I know people who are a lot stronger now after going through a tough ordeal and they are very empowering and admirable. But there are those who seem to find it difficult to move on from the past. It’s definitely not something that’s healthy for them and the people around them.
Self-examination is necessary at times, but not condemnation. I always hope to improve. That’s what life is all about–a learning journey.
I read the comments with great interest. I also hold on to grudges forever. I’ve also seen, especially recently, how the past prepares you for the present. I now need to concentrate on improvement, not on the past.
Alana recently posted..Fall Fancies – The First Finger of Winter
Life is all about learning and so you have to take those hard times and figure out how to put a positive spin on them!
Erika recently posted..5 Halloween Costumes You Can Use After Halloween
I never really condemned myself but compared myself a lot in the past. As for self-examination, I am a master!
Claudette recently posted..Fear: A SWAP Tactic To Overcome It
This is a great post! It’s so important not to condemn ourselves and be able to move forward 🙂
Shaylee @ Data Nerds recently posted..17 Scientifically Proven Ways to Boost Your Happiness Now
I really like the separation of those terms. There’s no need to beat ourselves up about things!
Liz Mays recently posted..Breaking Away from the Everyday
Self-examination is key. Not to beat ourselves up but to understand our flaws and allow us to improve. What a wonderful post and reminders!
Jonathan Key recently posted..Improve your Blog by Visiting the Mall [Day 13 of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog from Problogger]
Think it is really important to evaluate ourselves continually to make sure we are on the right track, whatever that is for us. There is a massive difference between beating yourself up and loving yourself enough to make sure you are treating yourself right.
I take each day 1as a new one. I try and learn from the past. great tips
I examine my life daily! Each night I like to do it to think on my days!
Shannon Peterson recently posted..Mama Style ft #DIFinds with Deseret Industries