When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable — Dr. Myles Munroe. We might think of this saying in terms of objects and tools, but how often do we consider it in relation to ourselves? The most pervasive form of abuse might be self-abuse — misusing our time, talents, and lives due to a lack of understanding of our true purpose.
Discovering Our Divine Identity
For centuries, humanity has grappled with the question of purpose. The Bible provides a clear direction in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” This reveals that our ultimate purpose is rooted in our relationship with God and living according to His will.
Recognizing Our Royal Identity
- We Are Royalty: We are called to live with dignity and purpose, reflecting our divine heritage.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. — 1 Peter 2:9
2. Living with Purpose: Our purpose isn’t just to follow our passions but to deploy our gifts in a way that honours God. Romans 12:1 urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our true and proper worship.
The Trap of Self-Abuse: Recognising the Symptoms
The devil’s greatest deception is making us believe we are entirely in control of our lives without seeking God’s guidance on our purpose. This leads us to live as if we understand everything about our existence. But do we? Can you recall events from a week before you were born or understand the intricate details that led to your birth? Most of us can’t. This shows that our existence and purpose are rooted in something greater than ourselves. When we lose sight of this, we fall into the trap of self-abuse.
Symptoms of Self-Abuse.
Living According to the Sin Nature: The inherent human tendency to stray from God’s path leads to choices that damage our lives and relationships. Romans 7:18–19 describes this struggle vividly. When we live according to the sin nature, we are like royalty living in rags within a palace, failing to reflect our true identity as children of the King.
Inconsistencies: When we are inconsistent, we fail to build the momentum needed to reach our goals. Whether that’s starting and stopping spiritual disciplines or wavering in our commitments, these inconsistencies disrupt our growth. James 1:8 reminds us that “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Procrastination: Putting off important tasks delays our progress and leads to missed opportunities. Proverbs 6:9–11 warns about the dangers of procrastination, urging us to act promptly. This habit often stems from a lack of direction or fear of failure, both of which can be alleviated by understanding our divine purpose.
Overcoming Self-Abuse (PSALM)
To avoid self-abuse, we must align our lives with our God-given purpose. One of the most powerful antidotes is consistent fellowship with God through prayer and studying His word. By knowing God, we come to know ourselves, and the more we understand our divine identity, the less prone we are to self-abuse.
Pray: Prayer aligns our will with God’s and provides guidance for our lives. Philippians 4:6–7 encourages us to bring everything to God in prayer, ensuring His peace guards our hearts and minds.
Study the Word: The Bible is our manual for life. By studying it, we learn God’s principles and understand our purpose.2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Apply the Word: Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Just like studying equips you with knowledge, applying that knowledge is crucial for growth. This means actively integrating the lessons you learn from Scripture into your daily life and renewing our minds daily (Romans 12:2).
Live for God: By seeking to honor God through your actions, you will live a surrendered life that does not abuse God’s grace or waste His gifts. Ensure you are making God-centered decisions by looking out for opportunities to use your talents and resources to fulfil the the great commission to preach the gospel in Matthew 28:19–20. This is the ultimate expression of your faith!
Mingle With Other Believers: As Hebrews 10:25 says — not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another (paraphrased). Consistent fellowship with other believers helps us understand how identity and purpose connects with God’s wider plan for His body. It also transforms our Christian experience, and keeps us accountable so that we win the battle against self-abuse.
Living Out Our Royal Calling
Recognizing and embracing our purpose transforms our lives and inspires those around us. By living in alignment with our divine identity, we avoid the pitfalls of self-abuse and lead a life of meaning and impact.
As you journey through life, always remember that you are called to a higher purpose — to worship God with your life and gifts. Living contrary to this purpose is like wearing rags in the palace as a son; it’s beneath your royal calling. Step into your true identity and live out the grand purpose God has for you.
God bless you, have a great week!
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