From the series I Really Want to Change . . . So,
Help Me God!
Note from James MacDonald
On
this page you will find what, I believe, are some of the most devastating
character weaknesses common in the life of a believer. The list focuses on
things that need to be "put off," according to the Scriptures. I am emphasizing
what one needs to "put off," because nobody wants to put on a brand-new suit or
dress before he or she takes the old one off. Let's focus first of all on the
things that need to go, and I think very naturally you will see the things that
need to go in their place.
I want you to know that the following list has been very
significant in my life and in our church. Take some time right now and rank
yourself on a scale of 0-10. Now in some of the categories, you'll say to
yourselves, "Absolutely not an issue in my life." If that's the truth, just put
0. If the attitude is extremely rare, score it a 1. If it is occasionally-but
very occasionally-an issue for you, score it 2-3. If it is sometimes a problem,
score it a 5. If it is often a struggle, then you're more in the 7 category. If
you know it is one of your significant weaknesses, you are in the 8, 9, or 10
category.
I'll give you a little head start. If you are thinking about closing the book
because you just can't face the hassle of self-analysis, score yourself high in
stubbornness. And if you want to write 9 or 10 beside every item, then
self-deprecation is probably where you need to go to work. If you have 0's and
1's beside everything, then self-righteousness is your need. If you want to
change, but can't seem to find the energy to work on your life, possibly your
need is to work on laziness.
Here is a list of attitudes and feelings that every follower of
Christ needs to "put off" in his life. Place a number, from 0 to 10, before
each item to indicate the extent of its presence in your life. Mark 0 if it's
"not an issue at all" and 10 if it's present on a regular basis. (See above for
more information on rating each item.)
______ Anger
______ Anxiety
______ Argumentative
______ Addiction
______ Bigotry
______ Bitterness
______ Boastful
______ Bossiness
______ Causing dissension
______ Conceit
______ Controlled by emotions
______ Controlled by peer pressure
______ Covetousness
______ Critical tongue
______ Deceitfulness
______ Depression
______ Dominance
______ Drug dependence
______ Drunkenness
______ Envy (depressed by the good fortune of others)
______ False modesty
______ Fear
______ Feelings of rejection
______ Feelings of stupidity
______ Feelings of weakness or helplessness
______ Feelings of worthlessness
______ Gluttony
______ Greediness
______ Guilt (false)
______ Hatred
______ Hostility
______ Homosexual lust
______ Idolatry
______ Impatience
______ Impulsiveness
______ Impure thoughts
______ Indifference to other's problems
______ Inhibited
______ Insecurity
______ Intemperance
______ Jealousy
______ Laziness
______ Loner
______ Low self-esteem
______ Lust for pleasure
______ Materialistic
______ Must strive to repay any kindness shown you
______ Negativism
______ Occult involvement
______ Opinionated
______ Overly quiet
______ Overly sensitive to criticism
______ Passivity
______ Prejudice
______ Profanity
______ Projecting blame
______ Prone to gossip
______ Rebellion to authority
______ Resentment
______ Restlessness
______ Sadness
______ Self-centeredness
______ Self-confidence
______ Self-deprecation (or self-hatred)
______ Self-gratification
______ Self-indulgence
______ Self-justification
______ Self-pity
______ Self-reliance
______ Self-righteousness
______ Self-sufficiency
______ Sensuality
______ Sexual lust
______ Slow to forgive
______ Stubbornness
______ Temper
______ Unloving (of the unlovely)
______ Vanity
______ Withdrawal
______ Workaholic
______ Worry
