A Complialation of Scotty Ward Smith's "Signs You're Growing in Grace"

I've really enjoyed following Scotty Smith, Pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin TN, on twitter (@scottywardsmith) he's written so much that's been good for my soul. I've especially been encouraged by his "signs you are growing in grace" tweets. They've really challenged, encouraged, and provoked much thought in me. I decided to compile some of the ones that have really hit me hard. This is not an exhaustive list, nor should it be used as a means of condemnation or rule-keeping legalism, but it should aid in probing your own heart, help you see more your need for Christ and drive you further to him, encourage you and build assurance, or give you something to think about and point out in fellow brothers and sisters in your church or in your own family:

- "You handle your failures with honesty, humility, and hope."

- "You blame less, and forebear more."

- "Your recovery time from irritability, resentment and smugness is getting shorter."

- "No matter what anyone says about you, you realize the cross is your greatest critic and cure."

- "You are quicker at seeing and grieving YOUR bad attitude, than noticing anyone else's."

- "You rush to mercy quicker than you rush to judgment."

- "When you weren't invited to an event others were, it hurts, but you don't retaliate."

- "You can tell when you're starting to manupulate people and you nip it in the bud."

- "You don't condescendingly roll your eyes as often or make as many flippant remarks."

- "You long and pray for the Holy Spirit to visit your heart & Church in transforming power."

- "Less and less seems really whine-worthy"

- "You expect to discover more of your need for Jesus today & more of th riches of Jesus."

- "The older you get the more you remember stuff your parents actually did right."

- "You want to trust again more than you want to stay stuck in your hurt."

- "Your inwards groans are getting louder and your eager waiting more intense. Romans 8:23"

- "You know the difference being obsessively busy and providentially busy."

- "The people who know you best would say you live more of a called life than a driven life."

- "You know you're not anywhere close to being as free as Jesus intends."

- "You boast IN your weaknesses but you don't boast about them. They don't define you."

- "You don't live by the frowns and judgments of professional weaker brothers."

- "You know the difference between dialouge and diatribe when discussing theological matters."

- "You're beter about responding to calls and invitations, and sending thank you notes."

- "If you don't know, you don't pretend you do."

- "You don't feel the need to pose and pretend as often or as much."

- "You spend way less time stuck in the paralysis of analysis"

- "Because of God's grace at work in your heart, it's getting harder to gossip, nag & snarl."

- "The gap between your sound doctrine and your actual discipleship is narrowing."

- "You repend freely and regularly, to your spouse and children"

- "You grieve how touchy, pouty and defensive you can be."

- "People you're talking with don't just hear your words but experience your presence."

- "You recognize quicker when you're importing last year's anger into today's disappointment."

- "You practice the anatomical ratio of ears to mouth: Listening twice as much as talking."

- "The more you understand your union with Christ the more you crave communion with him."

- "Repentance is becoming less something YOU do and more Someone you trust, namely Jesus."

- "Your cry for a changed heart is louder than your cry for relief."

- "There are fewer pages in the little book in which you keep a record of wrongs done to you."

- "You notice a person's dignity before you notice their depravity."

- "The time lapse between the Spirit's convicting and your repenting is much shorter."

- "Your use of caller ID reflects your commitment to love well, not simply avoid people"

- "What you are behind the steering wheel is a demonstration of the power of the gospel."

- "You don't violate confidences. You can be trusted with the brokenness of others."

- "You think about fixing people less and loving them more."

- "You don't trust signs, just Jesus."

- "You don't objecify your chuch for criticism. You weep with her as a member of the family"

- "You find yourself choosing to use the phrase, "you don't get me" less and less."

- "It takes minutes not weeks to recognize when you've fallen back into works righteousness."

- "Your theology always leads to doxology, not merely to you being more right than others."

- "Compliments don't intoxicate you and criticism doesn't decimate you."

- "You don't linger at religious TV programming just to fuel contempt & make snide remarks."

- "Your thoughts of heaven are more about the transforming of this world than escaping it."

- "You feel like you're just beggining to appreciate all the riches and depth of John 3:16"

- "Less cynicism about other people's sins and more tears over your own"

- "It's getting easier not to retaliate, get even, or even crave god's vengeance ."

- "You're increasingly less quarrelsome, sarcastic and easily offended."

- "You're content, even glad knowing that God sometimes answers your prayers with "no"."

- "You've got a whole lot more confidence in Jesus' prayers than yours"

- "The word "idolatry" makes you think about your heart more so than Greek temples."

- "When you think about "blessings" from God, suffering makes your list."

- "You don't debate eschatology, you live it."

- "The more you learn about Jesus and the gospel the more you realize how little YOU know."

- "The gospel still astonishes & humbles you. It's not just cliche or the name of your tribe."

- "You don't use your car horn to curse bad drivers, but appropriately caution & warn them."

- "Not texting or reading emails on your pda while driving, with or without kids."

- A commitment to pray for people you'd really rather gossip about.

- "Still being gracious to telemarketers when they call your protected phone number."

- "A commitment to give your spouse focused, unrushed attention at the END of the day."

- "You talk about your justification 10 times more than your victimization."

- "You throw less pity-parties, because you go to Jesus quicker than to self-contempt"

- "Your repentances come quicker with less pouting, excuses and vain promises."

- "You catch people "doing it right" in a 3-1 ratio to "doing it wrong".

- "You long for your heart to come more fully alive to the love of Jesus."

- "When telling your story, you end up talking about Jesus more than you."

- "You love hearing Jesus' name exalted and you're not as pained when you don't hear yours."

- "You know, that given the right circumstances, there is no sin you're beyond committing."

- "For every one look at yourself you take ten looks at Jesus- your righteousness and peace."

- "One by one, God's perfect loe for you in Jesus is exposing and driving out your fears."

- " You're thankful Jesus hasn't just forgiven all your sins, but also all your good works"