How Do We Remain Faithful - Fighting the Good Fight

It's important that we judge ourselves as the Bible commands. It helps us fulfill God's purposes and find joy in what we do.

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction Judging Ourselves Biblically Without Comparison. It speaks about judging ourselves according to our faithfulness to God and His purposes for our lives.

1. We can't judge ourselves correctly unless we renew our minds in God's Word.

Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

See this related 1-minute devotion:  
Spice It Up 
Dwelling on Scripture 

It's important that we judge ourselves as the Bible commands. It helps us fulfill God's purposes and find joy in what we do.

2. We can't judge ourselves correctly if we are influenced by negative, worldly influences.

Psalm 101:3: I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. 

Ephesians 5:11: Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

We need to be discriminating about our entertainment, reading, and internet influences, refusing things which draw our minds away from godly values. 

See these related 1-Minute Bible Love Notes:
What Can We Do About Bad TV?
A Biblical Warning from Inigo Montoya 

3. We can't judge ourselves correctly if our close relationships are bad influences.

1 Corinthians 15:33: Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 

See these related 1-Minute devotions:
Peer Mentors
Off Line

4. We judge ourselves based on our obedience to God's specific purposes for our lives.

Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

How wonderful it will be if we can say what Paul said near the end of his life: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

copyright 2014 Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated 2022

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