The following is from an article by Stanley Gale in the
Journal of Biblical Counseling. The article is entitled, "The Sin of Perfectionism." I cannot include the entire article here, but I provided some excerpts. Many Christians struggle with perfectionism: "the allegiance to and occupation with becoming perfect." Yes, we are called to be perfect in holiness, but this is not something we do...this is something the Lord does to us through faith. We usually pursue the perfect through our own means and this can only lead to frustration and failure. "The goal of perfection for which we are to strive must be in the context of perfection in Christ. The work begun by the Spirit we cannot seek to perfect by the flesh":
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3)
Our righteousness is found in Him and Him alone (Gal. 2:16, 21). The goal of perfection is not the problem.
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (II Cor. 7:1)
The problem is that we think we can achieve this standard through our own efforts; that it is within our power to become righteous, to do everything right, to stop sinning:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
"The perfectionistic person is zealous for pleasing God and for working diligently, even compulsively, toward that end." But when we pursue something without God - when we take something that rightfully belongs to Him - the fruit will be bitter. Perfectionism, in the end, is self-righteousness.
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