Appendix 2G; Act with Godly Insight
Stay focused on God! Be hopeful, flexible and willing to adjust your perspective to God’s operating principle-- love. God's definition of love is based on His nature of love and justice. His character isn't one that He has to develop like sinful, worldly, man. God defines love, it's a a holy love, and it is your choice to show His character in your personality. You have the righteous character of Christ in you when your knowledge of Christ seeps out from the heart. In the same way laws of righteous living melt into a heart of love and come out as mercy and grace towards yourself and others. Godly insight is when you realize that you don't need to keep the letter of the law (Christ did that), but rather, you want to express love instead of selfishness and so you choose to use your faith to practice self-control and patience so you can reflect kindness, gentleness, and goodness. This then is the attitude and behavior of the Holy, righteous love that comes from God. As with all Godly standards, it's your choice to accept His definition and want to change yours and, by practicing it in public, prove your heartfelt belief and honor to God. In Romans 13:8, the Apostle Paul advises; "Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another."
Holy love works by way of selflessness and truth, as modeled by Jesus Christ (1 John 3:18). By acting in love consistently, even when you are mad or upset, you show your confidence in the Word of God. You choose to believe that as a Christian, I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). For example, when you are tempted to give in to the feeling of anxiety, to honor God means that you would intentionally shift your focus to remember the truth of God’s Word so you'll act consistently with it. Another example is when you are mad or hurt about a situation, first you'll forgive and then you'll be able to generate ideas to find a pathway back to an amiable relationship. By receiving God’s love for you, you'll feel inspired to shake off disappointments, offenses and negative thinking so you can physically act out your spiritual reality (His righteous character expressed through you - Christian Cognitive consistency), achieving peace with God and man (Proverbs 3:4, Romans 5:1, Isaiah 32:17-18, Philippians 1:11).
Godly insight enables you to balance the fear and love of God (Proverbs 8:13). Don't think too highly of yourself by compartmentalizing God and placing "religion" among other areas of your life. Put him first as the highest priority in life and let Him influence your choices so you can see the truth of His Word become a reality in your life. Keep reading the Word and imagine the possibilities that you have “in Christ” (Matthew 19:26, Galatians 3:26).
Hyperlinks used above; Proverbs 1:1-10 Ephesians 3:16-19 Isaiah 60:1 Psalm 95:8
Not one of the people listed in Hebrews chapter 11 was a perfect follower of God but acted on what he or she heard/knew about God. For example, Abraham and Noah may have heard God’s voice but Rehab made decisions simply based on God’s reputation. Ruth didn’t know God; however, she was motivated to act consistently with the values she saw displayed in Naomi which she expressed by her decision to move back to with her to Bethlehem (https://www.gotquestions.org/Ruth-and-Naomi.html). Samson trusted that, even though he was a rebellious son of God, when he cried out to God, He would answer his prayer because it accomplished both God's will and his own (Judges 16:28).
When God is the highest value/priority in life and you know the Word, you'll not hesitate to know the right thing to do, however, that doesn't mean you'll do it. Procrastination is an example of our incomplete understanding of or acceptance of what we know to be true about God. You may have other feelings that may slow your reaction time like fear or worry, or doubt and unbelief. If you are a perfectionist, you surround your sunshine of faith with a rain cloud of uncertainty and this postpones the sun from shinning again until the rain shower (the battle between the human mind and Godly thoughts) subsides.
Anxiety will surface in you if you incorrectly believe that God expects perfection from you. (Other people may unfairly hold you to their standards, but God proved his character integrity when He sent Jesus Christ as a cover over corrupt human nature). Yours or another's erroneous beliefs don't need to form your reality when you have the truth of God's Word to align your thinking. Perfectionism as well as procrastination carries with it emotional anxiety that prevents you from change because of your psycho or social fear as opposed to the Holy fear of God. Grace Norberg (2015) says,
On the surface, being a perfectionist seems like a good thing. It sounds like something one would say in a job interview when they ask about “weaknesses” but you know you should still showcase your strengths. However, perfectionism can be a real burden and negatively affect your life if you let it go too far. Perfectionism is actually a defense mechanism protecting against the pain of being wrong or feeling like a failure. It can lead to being judgmental towards yourself and others, alienating friends and family, engaging in negative self-talk, and feelings of stress and anxiety.