I Have A Problem With… (3)

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB 2020)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Self-Worth

The Struggle

Defining self worth is the inner sense of worthiness that gives a person and resistance to attack and criticism.

Dangerous aspect of self-worth is allowing others to assess our lives and assign values and significance.

These assessments are very detrimental to those that are dealing with low self esteem or been victims of being bullied into others perceptions of you. (Relationships, career choices, schools, fashion, etc)

These origins we find in Genesis 3:1-6

Genesis 3:1–6 (NASB 2020)

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! 5 For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.

What does this text reveal about self-worth:

The influence of others can make us question and doubt healthy relationship (God, Family and others)

The influence of others can make us ignore the consequences, derailments and delays in our lives. (Poor discernment)

The influence of others can make us ignore the abilities we were created with at birth (Creation according to text Made perfect)

The influence of others can make us ignore the blessing and provisions we have to chase after things not a part of God’s purpose for us

According to the text we see woman heeding the words of the serpent making woman have self-worth issues and desire an unattainable (Unknown) identity. The origins of her new shame of people pleasing and never having enough of “it” was instituted.

The influence of others can make us want status, fame, knowledge, information that was not our created purpose.

God-like (Isaiah 14:12-16)

Knowledge (Above God and her husband: Feminism curse (Gen 3:16) No longer partnering but usurping authority of God/men/systems as part of the fallen nature

Developed a lustful desire which at creation our only desire was in God, through God and for his purpose. Desire is the catalyst for lust and fuels the emotional direction

1 John 2:15–17 (NASB 2020)

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.

The influencer will never heed their own advice but have you pressured into their agendas and schemes. Why?

The Symptoms Have Scars

Spiritual: Not knowing or believing God’s purpose for us. (Stinking thinking)

Emotional: The attempt to fill voids only God can fill

Intellectual: The pursuit of knowledge, understanding, significance, validation, affirmation

Physical: The trauma cause to ourselves because we’ve bought into the idea of being perfect, bigger, better, stronger, faster, the best….god-like

The Symptoms

Feeling self hate “I’m not worthy”

Recluse/Lone-wolf syndrome (Refusing to get close to people, believing one doesn’t deserve strong or supportive relationships

Refusal to trust others

Inability to accept oneself as special and unique

Rejection of what God intended the person to be in Him

Depression

Deceived! We believed an unproven lie, and become motivated to be someone that doesn’t look familiar to God at all.

This deception is design to make you go after those things that have no substance, offers no joy, and leaves you empty

Suicidal thoughts

Need for lots of attention

A competitive spirit (This was me…I’ll be the best/fastest/strongest/most impressive) When I failed I grieved and became bitter.

Poor decisions made that are based on fears and not reality

All of these symptoms will push you into a deeper darker place cause trauma that may have lasting effects physically even after successful deliverance.

The Scars

Increasingly become aloof to the Voids in our lives that were filled with seeking:

Acknowledgements (Say my name, point me out, mention my efforts)

Amens (Through theatrics and performances that are void of truth)

Applauses (Talent over gifted through the Holy Spirit)

Approval (False religion of affirmation)

Awards (Mini Idols to nothing)

The Shame: Identity of failure

Cycles of Hiding (Withdrawal), masking, covering-up, reminds us of who we are but you can’t help who you are. Since the fall of man we are all born flawed a become:

Self-aware

Self-invested

Self-sufficient

Shifting the perspective and perception

Perspective: the capacity of an individual to take into account and potentially understand the perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors of themself and of other individuals.

Perception: the process or result of becoming aware of objects, relationships, and events by means of the senses, which includes such activities as recognizing, observing, and discriminating. These activities enable organisms to organize and interpret the stimuli received into meaningful knowledge and to act in a coordinated manner.

Many of us have had the struggle with being able cognitively fulfill understanding in order for us to carry out the process or steps to function in a healthy manner.

Satisfied with my new identity in Christ Jesus

Because I’m saved in Christ Jesus I have

An identity in Him because Jesus became my shame on cavalry and I have His righteousness

I am a new creation in Christ Jesus and I’m not identified by my old name or dead name.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB 2020)

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

What I learn because I’m in Christ Jesus

I’m have a purpose

Genesis 1:27–28 (NASB 2020)

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

I’m Special and Important

Psalm 8:3–5 (NASB 2020)

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have set in place; 4 What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!

I’m a reflection of my creator

Genesis 1:26 (NASB 2020)

26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.”

I’m crafted to perfection

Psalm 139:14 (NASB 2020)

14 I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

I’m a son of God

Galatians 3:26 (NASB 2020)

26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

I’m chosen with a purpose

1 Peter 2:9 (NASB 2020)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

When God created us he wanted man to understand that

We Are Significant: Worthy of attention

We Are Secure: Fixed or attached at to keep in place. Can’t me misplaced or lost

We Are Accepted: generally believed or recognized to be valid or correct.

Satans job is to make us respond in destructive ways. To deceive us into believing that we are not what God created to be. Not talking about cultural deception but Spiritual importance. You and I have all that we need in Christ Jesus, and regardless of your background, age, upbringing, personality you are important to God! You are valuable to Him.

Galatians 4:6–7 (NASB 2020)

6 Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Isaiah 49:16 (NASB 2020)

16 “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

God has determined our value and don’t let no one assess you and tell you what your worth is in their eyes.

Not my race!

Not my education!

Not my community!

Not my culture!

Not my communication!

Not my relationships!

Not my church!

Not my success!

Not my failures!

Not my children!

Not my marriage!

Not my whatever…can determine who I am in the mind, heart and sight of God; but God alone!

Psalm 139:16–18 (NASB 2020)

16 Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

Galatians 2:20 (NASB 2020)

20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.