Knowing Yourself

“Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God. Without knowledge of God, there is no knowledge of self.” – John Calvin

Knowing ourselves is a crucial part of the journey toward Christlikeness, or sanctification. Discovering and understanding our unique struggles and sin tendencies helps us to navigate temptation and potential pitfalls. Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us examine our ways and test them” (NIV). 2 Corinthians echoes a similar thought in its instruction to “examine yourselves” all for the purpose of being refined from worldly ways and shaped more into the likeness of Christ.

What are some patterns you see that regularly pop up in your life?

• Do you struggle to surrender to God, relying on your own self-sufficiency?
• Do you find yourself under the continual compulsion to perform to earn the love and acceptance of others and God?
• Do you slip into a scarcity mindset, allowing worry to rule your mind instead of trusting in the enoughness of Christ?

While knowledge of yourself can help identify sin patterns in your life, it can also be the catalyst for living out your unique God-given purpose on this earth!

What are some of your strengths and giftings?

• Do you radiate the virtue of love, serving others with sincerity?
• Do you model faithfulness by diligence, consistency, and commitment instead of bailing out when things get tough?
• Do you speak truth in a bridled and gentle manner that can bring about needed change?

Knowing yourself allows for deeper intimacy with God and can provide a growth path, propelling you forward in your journey of faith. Knowledge of yourself that flows out of an accurate knowledge of God is crucial in cleansing ourselves from sin so that we may be sanctified, a vessel set apart (made holy) for honorable use and prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21).

Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal places in your heart and life that need to be brought into the light so that they can be transformed into his likeness.