The Danger of Self Satisfaction – Paul Chappell

“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. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12–14

One of the greatest threats to our growth as Christians is the notion that we have arrived at a pretty good place and no longer need to develop our Christian walk and become more like Jesus. If the Apostle Paul did not feel like he had reached the peak but still needed to improve, there are certainly areas where we still need work as well.

People who are greatly accomplished in any field—athletes, musicians or speakers—often make what they do look simple, yet it is anything but. For example, professional athletes do not stop practicing because they have reached the highest level of their sport. Instead they practice even more, because the reality of any human endeavor is that if we are not getting better at what we are doing, we are getting worse.

The same is true in our spiritual growth. Everything that we have and everything that we accomplish is a gift from God, and nothing for us to brag about. The presence of self satisfaction with our spiritual life is a flashing red danger light. For it is when we are most confident and complacent that we are in the greatest danger of falling.