One statement every Christian agrees with is this:

“You need to learn God.”

Heads nod in agreement.

But when I say,

“You also need to learn yourself,”

I see expressions that say:

“No! Huh? What do you mean?” Shock. Resistance. Blank stares. “That doesn’t compute.”

How do you interpret these verses?

“Be transformed…”-Rom. 12:2 (NIV)

”…by the renewing of your mind.” – Rom. 12:2 (NIV)

“Unless you change…” -Matt.18:3 (NIV)

”…and become like little children…” — Matt.  18:3 (NIV)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” – Matt.5:8 (NIV)

“The heart is deceitful…” – Jer. 17:9 (NIV)

“God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart…” — Ps. 139:23–24 (TPT)

“Love the Lord Your God with all your heart…” — Matt. 22:37 (NIV)

“Examine yourselves to see whether…” — 2 Cor. 13:5 (NIV)

Closing-

Learn God. Learn yourself.

The better you know yourself, the more you discover the places where Jesus wants to heal, restore, and transform you.

Prayer-

Father, I’m tired of the stuck and emotionally stunted places in my life. Holy Spirit, I give You permission to search my heart, renew my mind, heal what is broken, and transform every part of me into the likeness of Jesus. Amen.

P.S. And thanks for letting me be a part of that process.

Scripture

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” — Lam. 3:40 (NIV)