Becoming a Man or Woman of God
When a quarterback starts playing football, he has a lot of learning and growing. Even if he reaches the NFL and is MVP, he still needs to improve and learn. In the same way as believers we need to grow and become the man or woman God’s wants us to be.
 There are four symptoms of a heart far from God. These are indicators that we need to focus on becoming more of the person God wants us to be.
Symptoms of a Heart Far from God (Mathew 15:1-9)
- Overlooking own faults while pointing out others.
- Â Intentionally Breaking God’s Commands and justifying it.
- Putting tradition before the word of God.
- Publicly Spiritual, inwardly far from God.
4 Steps to becoming to a Man or Woman of God (2 Tim 2:19-22)
Step 1: Become a Child of God
Saving faith is recognizing that Jesus Christ,
God’s perfect son, died in our place and rose again,
and placing our trust in him alone to save us–
not in our good deeds or religious efforts, not in the
church we attend, or baptism– but in Christ alone to save us. - Larry Moyer
Step #2: Cleanse ourselves
What is holding us back in our relationship with
God and keeping us from becoming the Man or
 Woman God wants us to Be?
Admit sin to God. Pray through Psalm 32 and Psalm 51.
Bitterness is one sin that is holding many people back. Bitterness is holding a grudge or holding anger towards a person.Â
The below is taken from the The Peace Maker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
Forgiveness is not a feeling, it is an act of the will. It involves a series of decisions.
Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgetting is a passive process in which a matter fades from memory merely with the passing of time. Forgiven is an active process, it involves a consciouses choice and a deliberate course of action.
To forgive someone means to release him or her from liability to suffer
punishment or penalty.
You can either take payments on the debt or make payments.
Forgiveness may be described as a decision to make four promises:
- I will not dwell on this incident.
- I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.
- I will not talk to others about this incident.
- I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.
Focus on replacing wrong thoughts and actions with prayer and truth.
Step #4: Pursue the Things of God
Righteousness (Rightness in living)
Faith (relationship with God)
- Word of God
- Worship (prayer, obedience, etc)
- Fellowship
Love
Do we welcome and extend love to new people and different people?
Do we lovingly confront?
Do we forgive those who have sinned and overlook certain faults?
PeaceÂ
As we allow God to work in us and we cleanse, flee, and pursue the things of God, God will change us into the men and woman he wants us to be.
 (C) Arlen Busenitz.
Given to area youth group.