7/8 So what is Slave Mentality in Christian Foundations?
We spend another post looking at what is meant by ‘Slave Mentality’. Much of being a ‘slave’ is found in what we believe about our sell.
In order to see our own growth, we need a measuring point of where we once were…to where we are now.
1. One of the common thinking patterns of a slave is that of victim mentality. A slave is caught in their circumstances and there is no way out from the slave master! “What have I done to do this? God must be punishing me for something!”
2. Another common slave mentality is ‘worm thinking’. Every hear anyone say “I’m not good enough.” What they are saying is that I am valueless ….not wanted or even accepted for who I am. You can talk till you’re blue in the face with many people who feel this way. If they really believe they are a ‘worm’ in life, how will they act? Like a worm. …and how will others treat them….like a worm. Their lifestyle reflects their own low opinion of themselves. Often they are without self confidence or even boundaries and will allow others to walk all over them. We have seen many women in marriages like this. What the answer?
3. I’ve got a better way than God’s thinking of self protection, coping methods. However, these coping methods only work so far; fantasy and withdrawal only put Band-Aids on the wounds rather than find better ways to cope with the pains of life.
4. Out and out rebellion – “I know I shouldn’t do this but….” This is choosing to continue down a wrong path with an unwilling Heart that refuses to change.
5. “How could God love me; I’ll never be good enough.”…and you know what, that’s right. We will never be ‘good enough’ to gain his approval because we are caught in the Adam’s sin nature. Not one is ever going to be ‘good enough’; that’s why Jesus came …. T o be good enough for us to be accepted by God.
6. “I’ve done so much bad stuff that He can never love me or really forgive me.” What this says in a subtle way is that what they have done is bigger than God’s forgiveness and grace. Again, this form of pride will keep someone caught in rejecting God’s way for their own.
7. “If I am really, really good, God will have to accept me.” This thinking forces someone to be their own measuring stick of what ‘being good’ means.
Dear reader, if you are caught in any one of these thinking patterns, there is a better way! By standing in Jesus’ love and gift of what He did at the cross, we are totally accepted by God. WE will never stand before an angry, finger pointing Judge as Jesus has already paid the price. What we need to do is to accept His gift. We can never earn it as that is what grace is all about. The humble will accept the gift and the proud will walk away and seek their own righteousness.
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.mentorsnotebook.com
Tags: 7 common slave thoughts
Filed under: From Slave to Sonship
