Introspection And Our Identity In Christ

Introspection is the state of being self-focused and performing self-analysis.

When we focus on ourselves and analyze ourselves, it leads to two outcomes:

Outcome #1 - We put ourselves down…look at how bad I am or bad I did.

This is pity.

Outcome #2 - We lift ourselves up….look at how great I am and great I did.

This is pride.

Two of the ways we practice introspection that leads to pity is by:

1. Consistently examining our weaknesses…our flaws…and our failures, concluding something is wrong with us.

2. Consistently examining how we are measuring up to others, concluding we are less than others.

Both leave us discouraged and disappointed in ourselves.

For some people, introspection focuses on their Christian/Discipleship/Spiritual experience.

They analyze themselves by asking:

• Am I praying enough?

• Am I reading my Bible enough?

• Am I spending enough time with God?

• Am I serving enough?

• Have I made other areas of my life more important than God?

• Do I have unconfessed sins in my life?

• Am I out of fellowship with God?

• Am I committed enough/devoted enough?

• Am I sacrificing enough?

• Am I practicing the spiritual disciplines faithfully?

This introspection list goes on and on.

This list, too, leads to the outcomes of pity or pride.

Pity - Look at how I am failing as a fully devoted follower of Jesus…in my prayer life…in my daily Bible reading…in discipleship…in practicing the spiritual disciplines.

Pride - Look at how I am succeeding as a fully devoted follower of Jesus…in my prayer life and daily Bible reading…in my practice of the spiritual disciplines.

Whether the outcome is pity or pride, both are self-focused.

Something I have discovered is that when we focus on Jesus, it leads to praise.

Praise - look at how great Jesus is, and the great things he has done for me.

Because of Jesus and through faith in him:

• I am fully forgiven forever - Jesus died for all my sins.

• I am innocent of all sins - Jesus took the guilt for all my sins.

• I am righteous (fully forgiven of all sins and innocent of all sins).

• I have eternal life - Jesus died my death and rose to life.

• I am under no condemnation.

• Jesus lives in me.

• I am in relationship with God.

This is our identity in Christ.

Our identity in Christ is who we are based upon what Jesus has done for us because he loves us.

When we focus on our identity in Christ, it leads to praise.

When we focus on our identity in Christ it leads to freedom from having to measure up to others and meet the expectations placed upon us by others in what I call toxic discipleship.

Yes, we have weakness, flaws, and failures that we can change.

Yes, we have successes and strengths that we can celebrate

And yes, we can grow and develop.

But our identity in Christ never changes.

Understanding our identity changes us.

Constant introspection keeps most of us down and discouraged.

However, focusing on our identity in Christ lifts us up, encourages us, and empowers us to grow.

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy Brad’s book Toxic Discipleship: How Traditional Discipleship Removes The Gospel and How Biblical Discipleship Restores The Gospel. CLICK HERE