My name is Regina, and I’m a recovering perfection addict. What’s funny is that I willingly—and ironically—cover the mistakes and failures of others. But when it comes to the standards I set for myself, I can be ruthless.
Prophesying to the nation of Israel, Ezekiel foretold of coming events to God’s chosen people but also to the surrounding nations. Ezekiel 27 records God’s judgment on Tyre, a civilization known for its arrogant pursuit of self-sufficiency (Ezekiel 27:2). Exquisite in beauty, the city gained not only abundance, but strength. Speaking of Tyre’s great influence, the Lord declared, “Men from distant Persia, Lydia, and Libya . . . hung their shields and helmets on your walls, giving you great honor” (Ezekiel 27:10).
Because its consequences are readily visible, we can easily spot the dangers of demanding faultlessness from others (Luke 11:46). Equally offensive to God is requiring perfection from ourselves (2 Corinthians 10:12). Measuring our lives by the standards of others while trying to protect ourselves, we can wrongfully believe that by avoiding error we will avoid pain. Desiring perfection for any number of reasons, we try to: garner the attention or affection of others; hold back any emotional tidal waves of regret; and guarantee provision as we depend on ourselves.
But the desire for perfection is nothing more than an idolatrous high place, and our reliance on humanity will only lead us into bondage and ruin (Ezekiel 28:2,7-10).
God alone is the One in whom true perfection is found (Hebrews 5:9, 9:11-12). As we set aside our performance-minded ways and cling to His grace, we find our true identity in Him!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Proverbs 5:1-23
More:
Read Hebrews 10:16-23 to understand our true source of affection, protection, and provision.
Next:
Identify an area of your life where you rest on your own efforts. In what ways might this place be an idolatrous altar?
Gary Shultz on May 20, 2015 at 6:38 am
Just about the time I think I am arriving at a new level of spiritual growth, I fall off the mountain. I am reminded again we are but flesh. God desires us to be holy; however, any spiritual gains only come from God. So, I humbly follow Him and look for Him each day and find striving for perfection is in the relationship, not the work.
Regina Franklin on May 20, 2015 at 9:26 am
Dear Gary–He loved (and continues to love) us when we have nothing to offer. Seeing (and living in) His grace is a decision, sometimes one we must make daily–or in difficult seasons, even hourly. We can rest in know that He just wants us to be with Him–then, in that place, our desires and our choices are changed. Blessings to you.
tgustafs on May 20, 2015 at 7:22 am
Great post, Regina! And what an interesting take on Ezekiel 27. We don’t see our own perfectionism for what it is: idolatry!
Regina Franklin on May 20, 2015 at 9:29 am
Thank you, Tim! I continue to thank the Lord for you for the part you have played in my journey as a writer. I was sharing with a friend just yesterday that putting words down on paper has been a tremendous gift in pounding through theological issues and learning more about how to live in His love for me.
Mike Wittmer on May 20, 2015 at 8:51 am
Thank you for this reminder of the importance of motives. Even the best goals can be attempted for the wrong reason, and this is sin. Isn’t it also a bit ironic that our standard of perfection falls far short of God’s? So even if we think we did something perfectly, we still have a long way to go! Thank God for his forgiveness through the only perfect One, our Lord Jesus!
Regina Franklin on May 20, 2015 at 9:27 am
How very true, Mike. I am so grateful for the voice of His Holy Spirit and the power of His Word that sift through the motives of my heart. It can be all to easy to depend on the arm of the flesh–either in others’ opinions or even our own.
Tom Felten on May 20, 2015 at 9:02 am
Praise God for His grace. It allows us to pursue lives of excellence based in Him and the work of the Holy Spirit, while also experiencing and presenting His unmerited favor as we and others we know face challenges and setbacks.
Regina Franklin on May 20, 2015 at 9:32 am
Yes–excellence matters, but as you have so aptly stated, it must be “based in Him and the work of the Holy Spirit.” He is perfect that we might be excellent through His power.
Marlena Graves on May 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
…”we can wrongfully believe that by avoiding error we will avoid pain.” There are so many good quotes in here. I am not quite a perfectionist (except when it comes to my writing). However, I find that often I believe that if I do what is right, I will avoid pain. But we know that’s not true. I really appreciate this post!
Regina Franklin on May 20, 2015 at 9:42 am
Thank you, Marlena. We cannot read our circumstances to know if we are operating under God’s hand of favor or if we have heard His voice. Deep calls out to deep. Praying for you as you are seeking the Lord’s direction.
Winn Collier on May 29, 2015 at 3:21 pm
“offensive to God is requiring perfection from ourselves” — such a good and far too-ignored word