Honesty With Self

Introduction:
No where is accurate knowledge of self more important than in relation to the gospel of Christ. The gospel requires repentance—and repentance requires conscience. See Lk. 13:3; 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Peter 3:9. “Know thyself” was the inscription on the temple to Apollo at ancient Delphi. Conscience involves self knowledge.

I. The advantage we have in knowing ourselves:
    A. We each know ourselves ___________.
        1. 1 Cor. 2:11—others know our thoughts, motives, and values only as we _________ them.
    B. The information upon which others judge is at best incomplete—and often it is ____________________.

II. The disadvantage we have in knowing ourselves:
    A. We can the very ____________ judges of ourselves.
        1. Rarely are we candid & _______________ about our own situation.
    B. In the __________ _______—there is an even greater need for us to be helped in understanding ourselves.
        1. We tend to make exceptions of ourselves & euphemize the nature of our ____________________.
    C. Ultimately, we need to see ourselves as ________ sees us.
        1. God’s way of helping us is often to send _____________ to correct us.
        2. 2 Sam. 12:1-15—David’s ____________ & ___________.
        3. Gal. 2:11-14—Peter’s __________________.

III. Love of __________ & knowing ourselves.
    A. Salvation depends on our response to ______________. 2 Thess. 2:9-12
        1. Lk. 8:15; Jhn. 8:32
    B. Truth which must be loved is not merely doctrinal truth—it includes the ________ truth. See 1 John 1:8-10
    C. Consider the difference of attitudes in Acts 2:36-41; 7:54-60
        1. Person who loves his ______ - _________ more than the truth is not fit for the kingdom of God. Mt. 3:7-8
        2. Lk. 18:9-14—sometimes humans can be out of touch w/themselves.

IV. A healthy test of our honesty and love of the truth about ourselves.
    A. Some questions we need to ask about ourselves:
        1. Do we _______ for help in seeing self as God sees us? Psa. 19:12-14
        2. Do we pray for _________ who love our souls more than they love our ______________?
            a) see Gal. 4:16
        3. Do we pray for circumstances that will make us see our true ___________________?
        4. Do we pray for our ____________ to be exposed?
        5. Do we pray for every fault we have hidden from ourselves to be brought into the open?
            a) John . 3:19-21
        6. Do we pray for help in accepting even the most painful _____________?
    B. Questions like these make us uncomfortable, but often, ____________ has that effect!

Conclusion:
    A. God knows us perfectly! Heb. 4:12-13; 1 Cor. 4:5
    B. Do we genuinely love His truth?
    C. May we be truly honest with ourselves!



Honesty With Self Introduction: No where is accurate knowledge of self more important than in relation to the gospel of Christ. The gospel requires repentance—and repentance requires conscience. See Lk. 13:3; 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Peter 3:9. “Know thyself” was the inscription on the temple to Apollo at ancient Delphi. Conscience involves self knowledge. I. The advantage we have in knowing ourselves: A. We each know ourselves ___________. 1. 1 Cor. 2:11—others know our thoughts, motives, and values only as we _________ them. B. The information upon which others judge is at best incomplete—and often it is ____________________. II. The disadvantage we have in knowing ourselves: A. We can the very ____________ judges of ourselves. 1. Rarely are we candid & _______________ about our own situation. B. In the __________ _______—there is an even greater need for us to be helped in understanding ourselves. 1. We tend to make exceptions of ourselves & euphemize the nature of our ____________________. C. Ultimately, we need to see ourselves as ________ sees us. 1. God’s way of helping us is often to send _____________ to correct us. 2. 2 Sam. 12:1-15—David’s ____________ & ___________. 3. Gal. 2:11-14—Peter’s __________________. III. Love of __________ & knowing ourselves. A. Salvation depends on our response to ______________. 2 Thess. 2:9-12 1. Lk. 8:15; Jhn. 8:32 B. Truth which must be loved is not merely doctrinal truth—it includes the ________ truth. See 1 John 1:8-10 C. Consider the difference of attitudes in Acts 2:36-41; 7:54-60 1. Person who loves his ______ - _________ more than the truth is not fit for the kingdom of God. Mt. 3:7-8 2. Lk. 18:9-14—sometimes humans can be out of touch w/themselves. IV. A healthy test of our honesty and love of the truth about ourselves. A. Some questions we need to ask about ourselves: 1. Do we _______ for help in seeing self as God sees us? Psa. 19:12-14 2. Do we pray for _________ who love our souls more than they love our ______________? a) see Gal. 4:16 3. Do we pray for circumstances that will make us see our true ___________________? 4. Do we pray for our ____________ to be exposed? 5. Do we pray for every fault we have hidden from ourselves to be brought into the open? a) John . 3:19-21 6. Do we pray for help in accepting even the most painful _____________? B. Questions like these make us uncomfortable, but often, ____________ has that effect! Conclusion: A. God knows us perfectly! Heb. 4:12-13; 1 Cor. 4:5 B. Do we genuinely love His truth? C. May we be truly honest with ourselves!