Enemy of Joy: Excessive Introspection

Week 4 - Day 26

Here is a truth to remember: negative, excessive introspection leads to discouragement and ultimately to depression. When we constantly try to find out what is wrong with us, we will be on a journey that leads to the Christian wilderness. Certainly , we cannot be in denial about negative tendencies in our lives, but the way to overcome these is not by continual self-analysis. This kind of introspection can be a major enemy of joy for our lives.

Excessive introspection is the detailed, mental self-examination of feelings, thoughts and motives. It is the fruit of the works of the law and performance Christianity. The book of Galatians repudiates this as not only unbiblical, but completely counterproductive (Gal. 5: 1-6). Listen to what Paul says. "O foolish Galatians! ...Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? ...Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:1-5). Introspection and works are not the keys to miracles, Christian maturity or the supply of the Spirit. It is the "hearing of faith."

Paul adds in chapter five, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). We are told to activate the positive ("walk in the Spirit") and then the negative ("lust of the flesh") won't happen. The key of getting rid of darkness is to turn the light on, not to continually analyze the various aspects of the darkness.

In conclusion, it is important to deal with our weaknesses primarily by growing in faith and filling our lives with the thins of the Spirit. Certainly, we need accountability and responsibility for these weaknesses, but this must be done as part of a bigger plan that primarily includes "mega doses" of G*d's Word and Spirit. Excessive introspection won't help this plan, so stay away from it.

Declaration: I reject excessive, negative introspection as a means to Christian maturity. I walk in the Spirit and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh . The "hearing of faith" is alive in me and causes me to mature, have an increasing supply of the Spirit and have miracles work through me.