Works is a fascinating topic among believers. Depending on who you ask, you may receive vastly different definitions or answers about what works are, or their importance in the Christian life.

The desire for good works, usually comes from honest intentions; we all want to do good. There’s nothing wrong with wanting that, and there’s nothing wrong with desiring good works. But for some, this whole desire can be subtlety turned and misrepresented into something destructive. 

The trap of works is nothing new— we see it repeatedly in the scriptures. But even though it’s very common, our natural self continually gravitates towards works in various ways. While you might be tempted to think it’s not that big of an issue, the scriptures warn us about how works can be very detrimental to our success, for one simple reason: the reliance and focus on our self.

You see, there are two types of works in the scriptures… self works, empowered and reliant on our self-effort, and the works of God, which are empowered and reliant upon His Spirit.

Christians often confuse and conflate these two types of works, opting for more self, while erroneously thinking that they are doing God’s will; thus the trap.