The Performance Trap...? How do we get out of it...?

Dave L

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This is what springs the trap for me.......

Here's my approach to walking in the Spirit.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5) (KJV 1900)

We censor every impure thought or imagination. And change the channel in our thinking on any thought that does not conform to obedience to Christ.

And we replace it with:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Knowing Jesus is God and God is love, Jesus is lord of our lives when love rules our thoughts and actions.
 
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Eloy Craft

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This is what springs the trap for me.......

Here's my approach to walking in the Spirit.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5) (KJV 1900)

We censor every impure thought or imagination. And change the channel in our thinking on any thought that does not conform to obedience to Christ.

And we replace it with:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Knowing Jesus is God and God is love, Jesus is lord of our lives when love rules our thoughts and actions.
I think that's a good approach. Many mistake this kind of discipline for performance I think. This discipline prepares us to to do what love requires at every moment. A narrow road . On that walk the Holy Spirit can place us in situations beyond our capabilities and reveal what we are made of and the strength of our faith. If we do good we know it wasn't something we could make happen. I mean, because we know we didn't make it happen. That's the narrow path that can even turn into having a belt wrapped around our waste and being led where we don't want to go. That may cause a trapped kind of feeling.
 
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dqhall

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Paul says that all things are lawful to him. What he means is that under grace, nothing is sinful, because sin is the transgression of the law, so if he says that all things are lawful to him, then he is free to do what he wants while under grace and not under law. This is why Paul's gospel was so objectionable to the legalistic Jews, and for anyone else who gives dominance to the law in the way they choose to live a holy life. They are bound in the right/wrong syndrome, while Paul is free from that.

What he goes on to say is that not all things are expedient. In other words, there are thoughts and actions that are not beneficial to a person whose heart strongly desires holiness. The Christian is then going to do those things that are beneficial to a truly holy life.
If all things were lawful for Paul, he had been trained to do what is right and not speak falsely. Bible study may be useful while searching for God. A personal relationship with Christ and God is of higher value than many hours of Bible study without improvement. If I had not studied the Bible, I would not have found enlightenment. When I followed part of the law and Old Testament tales of war and retribution, I became judgmental and hateful. When I followed the teachings of Christ I reduced violence, judgement and retaliation.

I am supposed to be true. My memory is imperfect and sometimes I spoke or wrote errantly. It is an ever present task to fact check, proof read, find multiple factual sources about a subject, to read, reread, review and search for new publications. If I am trusting the right sources, my own writings might be trusted.

Some people advised me to pray to find out what God wants me to do.
I know many people will want me to do things God does not want me to do. They will try to sell me products that ruin my health or try to get me to engage in immoral conduct for their own benefit. Jesus taught, “No man can serve two masters.”
 
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aiki

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The Performance Trap...? How do we get out of it...?

Well, it might help to stop thinking of walking with God as a performance. You are a "new creature in Christ," the Bible says, changed fundamentally from the person you were before you were saved. Do you see yourself, though, as just acting the part of a new creature in Christ or actually being a new creature in Christ? "The me I see is the me I'll be."

We go through a cycle, a cycle that repeats itself over and over and over again, and again and again...

How do we break it...?

The Bible teaches that the way to spiritual victory is primarily through surrender.

Getting The Victory Over Sin. | Christian Forums

We feel guilty about sin, and then we try to "perform" and "do better" but we fail, and we never can even reach the mark of perfection, we will always miss it, and then we go back to feeling guilty (again) and like God maybe doesn't love us, (again) ect... Then we try to perform and do better (again), ect... And, ect, ect, ect., so on and so forth..

It's a trap, a performance trap...

Check out the link to the blog article I wrote. The article speaks directly to your question.

You are right: trying to do for God rather than letting Him do for you is a trap, a serious and frustrating misunderstanding of how change in the Christian life occurs. Like begets like. A dog begets a dog, a cat begets a cat, and you can only beget more of you. Godliness is something only God can produce in you. Your job, if you like, as one of His children is to get out of His way, to get low before Him, and let Him have His will and way in your life.

So, what do we do...? Are we not supposed to feel guilty about sin or about not performing well or right "at all" or not...? Or not...?

There ought to be sorrow over sin. Christ had to pay the price for each one. If this doesn't prompt some sorrow in you, there is something wrong between you and the Lord. But such sorrow should move you toward God in repentance, not away.

How do we get "free" or become "free" (from this, ect)...?

This is going to sound strange, I'm sure, but in your position in Christ, you are already free. See Romans 6.
 
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Maria Billingsley

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The Performance Trap...? How do we get out of it...?

We go through a cycle, a cycle that repeats itself over and over and over again, and again and again...

How do we break it...?

We feel guilty about sin, and then we try to "perform" and "do better" but we fail, and we never can even reach the mark of perfection, we will always miss it, and then we go back to feeling guilty (again) and like God maybe doesn't love us, (again) ect... Then we try to perform and do better (again), ect... And, ect, ect, ect., so on and so forth..

It's a trap, a performance trap...

So, what do we do...? Are we not supposed to feel guilty about sin or about not performing well or right "at all" or not...? Or not...?

How do we resolve this issue...? How do we get out of the trap...?

Were not supposed to be in it anymore, under the NC, but or so, how to we truly get out of it...?

How do we get "free" or become "free" (from this, ect)...?

AND, How do we get out of it, "without sinning or doing it wrong" or the wrong way also...?

God Bless!
This is the only way to break the cycle.

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

The flesh will always fight against the Holy Spirit. The only defense we have is our conscience that the Holy Spirit will prick when prodded. If you hate the guilt, then hate the sin more. That should do it.
 
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Newtheran

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How do we resolve this issue...? How do we get out of the trap...?

Were not supposed to be in it anymore, under the NC, but or so, how to we truly get out of it...?!

"“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” (Romans 7:19)
- Signed, The Guy Who Was Tasked With Writing Down Most of the New Testament

The real danger to the church today is twofold:

(1) Get wrapped up in holiness thinking and beat yourself up while you haven't been given a systematic way to either look at your life on earth or the tools to discipline it.
(2) Think of Christianity as a get out of jail free card, pray a prayer, do business with God, and then make no effort towards sanctification.

Both are extremely dangerous.

Get this book:

Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life

It will help you accurately evaluate where you stand.

Then get a prayer book, prayer beads, a rosary. Read about the saints and those who have run the race successfully. You're part of a faith with a 2000 year old history founded by the Son of God. You were never intended to be a lone ranger 20th century human completely deatched from your history and stumbling around in the dark.
 
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eleos1954

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The Performance Trap...? How do we get out of it...?

We go through a cycle, a cycle that repeats itself over and over and over again, and again and again...

How do we break it...?

We feel guilty about sin, and then we try to "perform" and "do better" but we fail, and we never can even reach the mark of perfection, we will always miss it, and then we go back to feeling guilty (again) and like God maybe doesn't love us, (again) ect... Then we try to perform and do better (again), ect... And, ect, ect, ect., so on and so forth..

It's a trap, a performance trap...

So, what do we do...? Are we not supposed to feel guilty about sin or about not performing well or right "at all" or not...? Or not...?

How do we resolve this issue...? How do we get out of the trap...?

Were not supposed to be in it anymore, under the NC, but or so, how to we truly get out of it...?

How do we get "free" or become "free" (from this, ect)...?

AND, How do we get out of it, "without sinning or doing it wrong" or the wrong way also...?

God Bless!

Romans 7

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. 17In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. 23But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

Philippians 1

New Living Translation
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
 
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A_Thinker

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Be sure and include God in your striving to grow out of fleshly weakness. Pray for God to move you forward in your spirituality.

Also, continue to study the life of Jesus and other biblical examples.

Spend time with those that propel you forward, rather than hold you back.

It's like getting control of your weight. Diets don't really work. What you're looking for is a lifestyle change.
 
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MayYouBeBlessed

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The Performance Trap...? How do we get out of it...?

We go through a cycle, a cycle that repeats itself over and over and over again, and again and again...

How do we break it...?

We feel guilty about sin, and then we try to "perform" and "do better" but we fail, and we never can even reach the mark of perfection, we will always miss it, and then we go back to feeling guilty (again) and like God maybe doesn't love us, (again) ect... Then we try to perform and do better (again), ect... And, ect, ect, ect., so on and so forth..

It's a trap, a performance trap...

So, what do we do...? Are we not supposed to feel guilty about sin or about not performing well or right "at all" or not...? Or not...?

How do we resolve this issue...? How do we get out of the trap...?

Were not supposed to be in it anymore, under the NC, but or so, how to we truly get out of it...?

How do we get "free" or become "free" (from this, ect)...?

AND, How do we get out of it, "without sinning or doing it wrong" or the wrong way also...?

God Bless!

Try the best you can do. The rest is in God's hands.
 
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Jen35

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The Bible says we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us. So please know that if you are not in Christ or abiding in him and relying on your own strength, you won't be able to accomplish anything or overcome it. Because it says "in" Christ we can do all these things. Jesus will come live in your heart is you invite him in and make him home with you if you follow his commands and rest in his love...
 
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Phil W

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You know what I mean... Don't you...?

Performing in order to receive or get or gain or attain from God, ect... also trying to be good enough to do the same, ect, ect... When it's quite impossible to be "good enough", know enough, ect... But not wanting to give up, ect...
God Bless!
Nah...that isn't a trap...it's a gift!
We manifest who we are born of, so isn't it a privilege to manifest God?
We are given the means to keep the flesh mortified-dead, so our walk in the Spirit does things for God as a matter of our divine nature...not for gifts.
If I need something from God I just ask Him for it...in Jesus name of course

BTW, isn't everything we do done for some gain?
We drive to reach a destination.
We eat sensibly for good health.
We shop for groceries.
We pet the cat for affection.
Don't dismiss acts done for God as just "for something from God".
Everything is "for something".
Serve God...for His glory.
He already knows what we need.
 
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Christopher0121

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I agree with one post that admonished one to embrace grace and simply stop trying to be a "good Christian" and just be yourself, allowing God to change what He desires to change in you as He desires to change it.

But I'd add one more thing. Devotionally, focus on your spiritual union with Him through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Allow His life, Spirit, power, and presence to flow through you in all you do. As much as is within you, just allow yourself to live moment by moment as a living extension of Jesus Himself, a branch of the True Vine, and you'll see the fruit of the Spirit blossom and flow in your life.

Holiness isn't predicated upon performance. It's predicated on our spiritual state of being.
 
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Phil W

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You know what I mean... Don't you...?

Performing in order to receive or get or gain or attain from God, ect... also trying to be good enough to do the same, ect, ect... When it's quite impossible to be "good enough", know enough, ect... But not wanting to give up, ect...
God Bless!
Yah, I know what you mean, but if you have crucified the man you were before conversion and have been reborn of the seed of God and are walking in the Spirit instead of in the flesh. you ARE good enough.
You are a son of God whom Jesus is not ashamed to call "brother".
It is possible to be good enough, as you are in Christ and He is good enough.
 
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fhansen

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The Performance Trap...? How do we get out of it...?

We go through a cycle, a cycle that repeats itself over and over and over again, and again and again...

How do we break it...?

We feel guilty about sin, and then we try to "perform" and "do better" but we fail, and we never can even reach the mark of perfection, we will always miss it, and then we go back to feeling guilty (again) and like God maybe doesn't love us, (again) ect... Then we try to perform and do better (again), ect... And, ect, ect, ect., so on and so forth..

It's a trap, a performance trap...

So, what do we do...? Are we not supposed to feel guilty about sin or about not performing well or right "at all" or not...? Or not...?

How do we resolve this issue...? How do we get out of the trap...?

Were not supposed to be in it anymore, under the NC, but or so, how to we truly get out of it...?

How do we get "free" or become "free" (from this, ect)...?

AND, How do we get out of it, "without sinning or doing it wrong" or the wrong way also...?

God Bless!
It's not either/or. We trust God and we strive. That is the gospel; and the New Testament taken as a whole. Jesus's burden is light, not non-existent. We work out our salvation with He who gives us enough grace to get the job done. Some seem to mistake the gospel for a license to escape any doing on our part, any obligation to be righteous.
 
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Blade

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"We feel guilty about sin". Did not He..God in His word say "there is now no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus"? Is it you that sin or the sin that is in you? Are YOU not born again? Do you "put on the NEW man which after God IS created in righteousness and true holiness"? <--that is what GOD sees only. God IS faithful to what JESUS HAS done. He IS a faith GOD and faith is the only way to please Him.

Just what is it YOU aka man can do that Christ didn't already do? When Christ rose.. did you also? Gee what does all this mean :) So Guilt never comes from God but the enemy.

The fact there is no none any condemnation to them in Christ Jesus. So... if we want to keep living in the flesh.. then we will feel condemned...guilt. What we are? ..Christ came as?.. died for it all. Its finished. We can choose to see our selfs as GOD does.. righteous.. or in the flesh.. and keep working at ..trying to get better.. at something Christ already did. Its not us.. its ALL Him. Lets not get silly.. no free pass to sin. The fact we still live in this flesh.. and this flesh has not been changed. It loves to sin.. is that still YOU though? What is this NEW MAN? What was born again? Was it just nothing more then a word.. a choice? YOU need to figure this out. Not what everyone else says or thinks.

So... just what are you taking up.. offering to GOD for that sin you just did? YOU not anyone else.. YOU need to figure out why Jesus died. Did that lamb only cover.. or did it take away all sins? WHATS the good news? YOU being all..
 
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dms1972

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John and Paula Sanford have some very good teaching on being set free from Performance Orientation in a book called The Transformation of the Inner Man.

There is a also quite a few videos and audio from their Healing Seminars on Youtube, if you search.
 
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Phil W

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"We feel guilty about sin". Did not He..God in His word say "there is now no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus"?
You should have completed the verse..."who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Those who still commit sin are walking in the flesh, not the Spirit.

Is it you that sin or the sin that is in you? Are YOU not born again? Do you "put on the NEW man which after God IS created in righteousness and true holiness"? <--that is what GOD sees only. God IS faithful to what JESUS HAS done. He IS a faith GOD and faith is the only way to please Him.
Your implication is that there is sin in Christ. (1 John 1:5)
That the seed of God can bring forth wicked fruit. (1 John 3:9)
Both ideas are errors.

Just what is it YOU aka man can do that Christ didn't already do?
With the God given gift of repentance we can turn from sin permanently.

When Christ rose.. did you also?
Yes, as it is written..."Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: " (Rom 6:4-5)

Gee what does all this mean :) So Guilt never comes from God but the enemy.
The devil doesn't want you to feel guilty, he wants you to feel comfortable with sin in your life.
And he has brought forth hundreds of doctrines to do just that.

The fact there is no none any condemnation to them in Christ Jesus. So... if we want to keep living in the flesh.. then we will feel condemned...guilt. What we are? ..Christ came as?.. died for it all. Its finished. We can choose to see our selfs as GOD does.. righteous.. or in the flesh.. and keep working at ..trying to get better.. at something Christ already did. Its not us.. its ALL Him. Lets not get silly.. no free pass to sin. The fact we still live in this flesh.. and this flesh has not been changed. It loves to sin.. is that still YOU though? What is this NEW MAN? What was born again? Was it just nothing more then a word.. a choice? YOU need to figure this out. Not what everyone else says or thinks.
There is no sin in Christ Jesus, so if there is sin in you...you are not in Christ Jesus either.

So... just what are you taking up.. offering to GOD for that sin you just did? YOU not anyone else.. YOU need to figure out why Jesus died. Did that lamb only cover.. or did it take away all sins? WHATS the good news? YOU being all..
Jesus died to free me from service to sin. (John 8:34)
And I thank Him and praise Him for my freedom.
 
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fhansen

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"We feel guilty about sin". Did not He..God in His word say "there is now no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus"? Is it you that sin or the sin that is in you? Are YOU not born again? Do you "put on the NEW man which after God IS created in righteousness and true holiness"? <--that is what GOD sees only. God IS faithful to what JESUS HAS done. He IS a faith GOD and faith is the only way to please Him.

Just what is it YOU aka man can do that Christ didn't already do? When Christ rose.. did you also? Gee what does all this mean :) So Guilt never comes from God but the enemy.

The fact there is no none any condemnation to them in Christ Jesus. So... if we want to keep living in the flesh.. then we will feel condemned...guilt. What we are? ..Christ came as?.. died for it all. Its finished. We can choose to see our selfs as GOD does.. righteous.. or in the flesh.. and keep working at ..trying to get better.. at something Christ already did. Its not us.. its ALL Him. Lets not get silly.. no free pass to sin. The fact we still live in this flesh.. and this flesh has not been changed. It loves to sin.. is that still YOU though? What is this NEW MAN? What was born again? Was it just nothing more then a word.. a choice? YOU need to figure this out. Not what everyone else says or thinks.

So... just what are you taking up.. offering to GOD for that sin you just did? YOU not anyone else.. YOU need to figure out why Jesus died. Did that lamb only cover.. or did it take away all sins? WHATS the good news? YOU being all..

So...salvation is all about a change in perspective? What I think, about me, but never about what I do?? It's all about being free from guilt when I do bad things? Like I always wanted anyway? Yay!
 
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Neogaia777

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Nah...that isn't a trap...it's a gift!
We manifest who we are born of, so isn't it a privilege to manifest God?
We are given the means to keep the flesh mortified-dead, so our walk in the Spirit does things for God as a matter of our divine nature...not for gifts.
If I need something from God I just ask Him for it...in Jesus name of course

BTW, isn't everything we do done for some gain?
We drive to reach a destination.
We eat sensibly for good health.
We shop for groceries.
We pet the cat for affection.
Don't dismiss acts done for God as just "for something from God".
Everything is "for something".
Serve God...for His glory.
He already knows what we need.

You said: "BTW, isn't everything we do done for some gain?"

For ourselves for the most part though...

God Bless!
 
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