perfect

Perfect or Perfectionism?

Priscilla Van Sutphin

tearsofthefather@comcast.net

One of the largest injustices in the church today is the lack of patience with each other and an intolerance for anyone who doesn't move to the same beat we do. Intolerance, impatience and frustration are part of a complex stronghold associated with perfectionism along with pride, ego and vanity. It is an adulteration of true love, the kind associated with true Christian love. One is conditional, and not love at all. The other is motivated by the love of Christ in us. Perfectionism says, hurry up and get it together so we don't have to put up with your aberrant behavior or behavior which is not agreeable to us.

We don't like, sometimes, those who are different. Some in the church have traveled a much harder road, and we don't have patience with them, even enough to pray for them, when they need soaking prayer and for us to love on them . The fault is in our own dysfunction that seems invisible to those of us walking in our pride. We think we are better somehow if we are quieter and more at peace, instead of preferring the weaker brother or sister. Also, sometimes we aren't quite honest in confronting in love the things we see in others that do need attention. We are often impatient to take the time it takes to love on others. And loving on others takes time.

I remember someone teaching us at a leadership group for future cell leaders once that when you make a new convert, you should spend at least 15 minutes a week with them ! At the time I was appalled that he could stand and say that without realizing the lack of concern and care there was evidenced in that statement. Remember, if you will, how the early Christians did things...they broke bread together, and shared all they had with each other. They met daily and we can't even give of our very busy time to those in need. You know if we tried less to do, to the many, and just cared for the one we know, it would speak much better for us as a whole church.

Like the person who wrote this....

Aristides, a Christian from Athens, wrote this in defense of Christians to the Emperor Hadrian in the year 125 AD....... "they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God. And whenever one of their poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability gives heed to him and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity , and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food. They observe the precepts of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for his lovingkindnesses toward them; and for their food and their drink they offer thanksgiving to Him."

This attitude of gratefulness and thanksgiving is not evident in the pride of perfectionism. In perfectionism there is discontentment with self and with others. Nothing is ever done as perfectly as it SHOULD be. I know very well as I lived with perfectionism all my life, in my foster home and with my natural mother, and I became what I judged. I have had to still battle thoughts in my mind that criticize and judge others. Faultfinding is a close companion to these other spirits associated with perfectionism. And never feeling good enough is transferred often to God as a result of the harsh taskmaster in our lives. In God's eyes we often never feel good enough.

This is often accompanied by self-condemnation and condemnation of others. It fits quite well with a religious spirit because a religious spirit is like a harsh taskmaster, always demanding MORE. Always ready to compulsively confess to whatever sin there is out of fear of punishment...but without inner healing, not really achieving the peace that comes from heart change wrought by the Spirit of God when He comes and heals your inner man. Roots of perfectionism in our heart are often fueled by fear that came as a child;fear of failure, fear of punishment or abuse or neglect, that came when we didn't do things perfectly. But fear involves TORMENT the scriptures say. And only the LOVE of GOD can cast down these fears and uproot the damage done when parents or teachers demand more of a child than they can do themselves such as happens with perfectionism. Trying to please God like we did our parents is noble but can become just a habit of compulsive behavior and confession, and no real healing will take place unless we surrender completely our will in getting the healing we need.

So in an effort to dispel some religious demons I looked up the word perfect in the Word, and the study speaks for itself.God sanctifies us with His glory and in order for Him to do that we need to get into His presence, through reading the word to transform our mind, and through intimate worship and prayer and meditation with and on the Living Word Who is a person. Remembering that Christ Jesus admonished the religious that they search the scriptures for in THEM they think they have salvation, but they were unwilling to come to HIM the well of Living Water.

OT:8003 shalem (shaw-lame'); from OT:7999; complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly: KJV-full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect (-ed), quiet, Shalem [by mistake for a name], whole.

OT:4357 miklah (mik-law'); from OT:3615; completion (in plural concrete adverbial, wholly): KJV-perfect. Compare OT:4356.

OT:4356 mikla'ah (mik-law-aw'); or miklah (mik-law'); from OT:3607; a pen (for flocks): KJV-([sheep-]) fold. Compare OT:4357.

OT:7965 shalowm (shaw-lome'); or shalom (shaw-lome'); from OT:7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:KJV-X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ty), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.

Isa 26:3

5341 Thou wilt keep him in 7965 perfect 7965 peace, 9999 whose 3336 mind 9999 is 5564 stayed 9999 on thee: 3588 because 982 he trusteth 871a in thee.

NT:5046 teleios (tel'-i-os); from NT:5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with NT:3588) completeness:KJV-of full age, man, perfect.

Our whole walk is a progressive climb towards wholeness !

Matt 5:48

2071 Be

5210 ye

3767 therefore 5046 perfect, 5613 even as 5216 your 3962 Father 3588 which 9999 is 9999 in 3770 heaven 2076 is 5046 perfect.

NT:197 akribesteron (ak-ree-bes'-ter-on); neuter of the comparative of the same as NT:196; (adverbially) more exactly: KJV-more perfect (-ly).

Acts 24:22 KJV And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

Rom 12:2 KJV And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and (5046) perfect, will of God.

1 Cor 13:10 KJV But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

2 Cor 12:9 KJV And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

NT:5048 teleioo (tel-i-o'-o); from NT:5046; to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character): KJV-consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.

2 Cor 13:11 KJV

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2675)

NT:2675 katartizo (kat-ar-tid'-zo); from NT:2596 and a derivative of NT:739; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust: KJV-fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect (-ly join together), prepare, restore.

Gal 3:3 KJV Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh [2005 - made perfect]

NT:2005 epiteleo (ep-ee-tel-eh'-o); from NT:1909 and NT:5055; to fulfill further (or completely), i.e. execute; by implication, to terminate, undergo: KJV-accomplish, do, finish, (make) (perfect), perform (X -ance).

Paul also talks about finishing the racem and working out your salvation (the word for deliverance in that case) with fear and trembling. It is a PROCESS, and not instantaneous as some would have us think. God is not like a snow sled driver yelling MUSH YOU HUSKIES ! He leads us into paths of righteousness for His name's sake , it says in scripture. Emphasis on HE LEADS. We cannot accomplish perfection by trying harder to be more perfect as that is a fakery.

If we could , why would we need a Saviour?????

He is our righteousness ! It is by faith we have been saved that no man could boast ! But our churches are full of boasting.so GOD MUST COME AND TRANSFORM US ! His word in the Old Testament establishes this. The lame are not yet leaping like deer commonly, like it says in Isaiah 66. He promises to bring us forth to birth of Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. We are on the path. And there is also admonishment to those who stubbornly refuse to get the healing needed to be made perfect ! It is ONLY in HIS PRESENCE that we can be healed and perfected. Not by our own might or strength, but by HIS SPIRIT ! But we must submit to His will in inner healing and deliverance. We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit !

Eph 4:13 KJV Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: [5046 perfect ]

Phil 3:12 KJV

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [5048 perfect]

NT:5048 teleioo (tel-i-o'-o); from NT:5046; to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character): KJV-consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.

Phil 3:15 KJV Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Note it says GOD WILL REVEAL IT, not your brother or sister feeling compelled to "FIX" you. There is the responsibility to be listening through relationship with Him inferred in this. Also there is a difference in "fixing" others which is a form of control, and telling the truth in LOVE which comes out of real RELATIONSHIP with another person. We need to know the difference. Often out of fear we don't confront our friends but whatever we do it better be because God told us to do it, not out of our compulsion to "FIX" others.

Col 1:28 KJV Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: [5046 perfect ]

Col 4:12 KJV Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

5046 perfect 2532 and 4137 complete

1 Thess 3:10 KJV Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? [2675 might perfect]

2 Tim 3:17 KJV That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Herein is the reason partly of being made perfect that our works would be to the Glory of God, fully in obedience to Him.[739-perfect]

NT:739 artios (ar'-tee-os); from NT:737; fresh, i.e. (by implication) complete: KJV-perfect.

Heb 2:10 KJV For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Here again is the word teleeo (5048)and we are made perfect through what? Suffering !

NT:5048 teleioo (tel-i-o'-o); from NT:5046; to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character):KJV-consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.

Heb 7:19 KJV For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Heb 9:9 KJV Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

Heb 9:11 KJV But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Heb 10:1 KJV For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Heb 12:23-25 KJV To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 5048 made perfect,(teleeo again)

Heb 13:21 KJV Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

James 1:4-6 KJV But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

5046 perfect

2041 work,

2443 that

5600 ye may be 5046 perfect

James 1:17 KJV Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. [5046 perfect]

James 1:25 KJV But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (of course not)

James 3:2 KJV For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

This also indicates it is impossible to please everyone something a perfectionist does not believe totally. It speaks for FORBEARANCE a fruit of the Holy Spirit that bears with the weakness and faults of others.

1 Peter 5:10 KJV But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [2675 perfect]

1 John 4:17-18 KJV Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [5048 made perfect]

Love that is perfect.....God's love..casts down all fear. When we are fearing what other people think or fearing failure, or punishment, or retaliation or death or anything we are not perfected in love and this should be a clue to us that we need His healing LOVE to touch us MORE.

Rev 3:2 KJV Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 4137 perfect

NT:4137 pleroo (play-ro'-o); from NT:4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: KJV-accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply. NT:4134 pleres (play'-race); from NT:4130; replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete: KJV-full.

NT4130 pletho (play'-tho); a prolonged form of a primary pleo (pleh'-o) (which appears only as an alternate in certain tenses and in the reduplicated form pimplemi); to "fill" (literally or figuratively [imbue, influence, supply]); specifically, to fulfil (time): KJV-accomplish, full (... come), furnish.

2 Chron 19:9 KJV And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.[8003]

Ezra 7:12

426 the God of 8065 heaven, 1585 perfect 9999 peace,

OT:1585 gemar (Aramaic) (ghem-ar'); corresponding to OT:1584: KJV-perfect. OT:1584 gamar (gaw-mar'); a primitive root; to end (in the sense of completion or failure):KJV-cease, come to an end, fail, perfect, perform.

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. [8535 perfect]

OT:8535 tam (tawm); from OT:8552; complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear: KJV-coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright.

OT:8552

tamam (taw-mam'); a primitive root; to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive (as follows):KJV-accomplish, cease, be clean [passed-], consume, have done, (come to an, have an, make an) end, fail, come to the full, be all gone, X be all here, be (make) perfect, be spent, sum, be (shewself) upright, be wasted, whole.***. teman, Teman. See OT:8486, OT:8487.

OT:8486 teyman (tay-mawn'); or teman (tay-mawn'); denominative from OT:3225; the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east): KJV-south (side, -ward, wind).

Job 8:20 KJV Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

Job 9:20-22 KJV If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

Job 22:3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him thatthou makest thy ways perfect? 8552 perfect

Job 36:4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

OT:8549 tamiym (8549 he that is perfect in taw-meem'); from OT:8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth:KJV-without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

Here we see perfection linked with integrity and truth... it is knowing the truth that sets us free.

Ps 18:30 KJV As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Ps 18:32 KJV It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Ps 19:7 KJV The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Ps 37:37 KJV Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Here perfection is aligned with PEACE ! He who is made perfect will have peace.

Ps 64:2-4 KJV Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Ps 101:2 KJV will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Ps 101:1-7 KJV I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. [8549 perfect ]

OT:8549 tamiym (taw-meem'); from OT:8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth: KJV-without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

It is interesting here that perfection is associated with not being unequally yoked with the wicked. That means obedience to God in all our ways, and not being afraid of the rejection of man.

Ps 138:8 KJV The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. [1584 will perfect]

OT:1584 gamar (gaw-mar'); a primitive root; to end (in the sense of completion or failure): KJV-cease, come to an end, fail, perfect, perform.

Prov 11:5 KJV The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Prov 4:18 KJV But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ( gradual process implied by shineth more and more glory to glory)

Prov 2:21 KJV For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

Isa 18:5 KJV For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and down the branches.

Isa 38:3 KJV And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

Over and over in scripture it refers to the perfect in HEART so look at David whom God described as a man after His own heart as an example of perfection and in that we do not see someone who never made mistakes do we, but his heart was perfect in repenting before God. In his heart David wanted to do what is right.

1 Chron 29:19 KJV And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision. [8003 perfect ]

OT:8003 shalem (shaw-lame'); from OT:7999; complete (literally or figuratively);especially friendly: KJV-full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect (-ed), quiet, Shalem [by mistake for a name], whole.

1 Kings 8:61 KJV Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Micah says, and what does the Lord require of you oh man? (to paraphrase) But that you do justly, show mercy, and walk HUMBLY with your God ! Jesus said Justice, mercy and FAITH are the weightier matters of the law. So continue to press in sons of man and be diligent seekers of Him as that is who He says he will reward !

If perfectionism is something you are trying to overcome "Living With a Perfectionist" by Dr David Stoop is wonderful for opening of the eyes and good suggestions for overcoming in some areas.

Prayer:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I confess that I have struggled with perfectionism and I want to be free, so I ask you to unravel the cords of perfectionism over my mind and heart and soul. I surrender to you my life completely and renounce all trying to keep in control of it. I want to surrender 100% Lord to Your will in my life. I renounce all religiosity, all perfectionism, all pride and discontentment, all ego and vanity, all frustration , intolerance and impatience with others and I thank you that You are removing them from my life; that you will give me abundant grace to over come all the works of the enemy that have hindered me. Uproot and heal all the negative experiences In my life and help me to forgive those that treated me with perfectionism. Help me Lord to worship and praise You in all things. Give me a grateful heart, a heart of thanksgiving before You. Pour out Your manifest LOVE in me and set me free from all my fears Lord, in Jesus Mighty name ! Amen !