Quiet Time: See Yourself, Free Yourself

When we want to know what we look like on the outside we look into a mirror.  When we want to know what we look like on the inside we look into God’s word.  The bible is a mirror for the inside.

God cares about our inside not our outside. 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

To God you are your Heart. If you know your heart then you know yourself. One of the most challenging things to know and understand is the condition of our heart.

How often do you evaluate the condition of your heart?

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:22-25

When you want to look good, the first thing we do is look in the mirror and evaluate the condition of our outward appearance.  Then once we have evaluated you have the freedom to do something about it. You can change your haircut, brush hair, take shower, etc. The Bible is the only mirror for the inside so without it we have no option to change anything on the inside. When you see yourself, you can free yourself.

What can you see clearly that you need to be free from?

Free yourself from secrets. 

And this is the message I proclaim-that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Romans 2:16

Secrets trap us and create distance between us and God and our friends. The Bible is saying we should be free of secrets.

What can you be honest about with God and friends today?

Free Yourself from Fear.

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

When you understand truth from the Bible, you can see your fear and then understand with God there is no need for it.

What fears are you dealing with right now?   What is God wanting you to see to overcome these fears?

Challenge:

• Admit 3 truths you have learned about yourself (i.e. trapped by people’s approval, fear, or secrets).  Find a Scripture for each one that help you be free from those traps.
• Share the truths and Scripture you found with a friend today.