This morning, we’re continuing our message series entitled, “Overcome”. In this series, we’ll learn how to overcome some common sins of life that weigh us down and separate us from the life of abundance and freedom that Jesus gave His life to give us.
This morning, we’re overcoming the issue of poor self image.
Many of us have become trapped and ensnared in our lives by our very own perspective of who we are and what we are capable of. Many of us believe lies about ourselves that have been spoken to us. This wrong perspective may have come from our parents or guardians, it may have been our friends, it may have been our co-workers or bosses, it may have been glances or giggles from strangers, it may have been classmates, it may have been family members, it may have just been a thought that you had yourself. Regardless of where this wrong perspective, this lie, originated; one thing remains true.
We chose to believe it about ourselves.
One of the best ways to overcome a poor self image of ourselves is to remind ourselves of the truth. We find the truth about ourselves in God’s word. Regardless of what anyone has said about us, regardless of what we say about ourselves, God’s truth can overcome every lie and transform how we see ourselves in light of the truth.
This morning, we’re going to review some common lies that we believe about ourselves. We’ll call these, “It’s been said.” statements. Then, we’ll compare them to what God’s word says about us. We’ll call these, “God says” statements.
1. You’re a mistake/screw up
God says, “I created you on purpose”.
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
2. You’re too young/old
God says, “I’ve called you”.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Psalm 92:12-15
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Moses was 80 and Aaron was 83 when they were chosen to lead Israel into freedom from their Egyptian bondage (Exodus 7:7). They continued to lead Israel for an additional 40 years (Deuteronomy 34:7)! The Bible says that even at 120 years of age, Moses’ eyes were not weak and his strength was not gone.
Caleb was 40 when he spied out the promised land and when he was 85, was still ready for war (Joshua 14:7-11).
Zechariah was well advanced in years and yet still serving as a priest in the temple and chosen to be the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1).
Paul was in his fifties and sixties when he wrote the letters that became the bulk of our New Testament and ventured out on many of his missionary journeys teaching, preaching, training, and encouraging the church (www.blueletterbible.org/study/paul/timeline.cfm).
Anna, the prophetess, was in her eighties and day and night worshiped, prayed, and fasted never leaving the temple. Having seen the baby Jesus at his dedication at the temple, she told everyone about his coming redemption (Luke 2:36–38).
3. You’re too… ugly/pretty/fat/skinny/tall/short/talkative/quiet
God says, “I created you wonderfully in my image”.
The truth is that we have very little control over many attributes of our lives. Many of us spend our whole lives focusing on something about ourselves that really doesn’t matter. At the end of our days, whenever we give an account for our lives, those things will likely not even be mentioned.
God won’t condemn someone who He created to be an introvert for being too quiet nor an extrovert for being too talkative. God won’t condemn someone for being too tall nor too short.
God created us as we are for a divine plan and purpose. He birthed us at a specific time and place for a purpose.
1 Corinthians 7:17-20
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Keeping God’s commands are what counts; to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love others as we love ourselves. Whatever our attributes are, we are fully able to do these things. We’re never too anything not to be able to live out the lives that God purposed us for. In fact, even if we view these as weaknesses, Jesus said to Paul:
2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
4. You’ll just fail anyways, you’ll never make it
God says, “I have plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future”.
Romans 8:31-37
31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
5. You’re a waste of time
God says, “You’re worth it”.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Jesus didn’t think that you were a waste of time, He saw that you were worth giving His life for! More than that, He saw that you were worth providing for. He saw that you were worth pursuing and drawing to Himself. He saw that you were worth saving and filling with His Holy Spirit. He saw that you were worth investing in, calling, and using to transform the world. Yeah, He thinks you’re quite worth the time!
6. You have nothing to offer
God says, “You have everything you need”.
Moses had a stick and a speech problem, a young boy had five loaves and two small fish, a dying widow had one jar of oil and a dead son, Elijah had a prayer, Jesus had spit and some mud, Peter had a net, etc.
It doesn’t matter what we have, it matters how willing we are. God will take absolutely anything that we offer up to Him and do extraordinary things through our ordinary!
7. You’re dumb
God says, “You’re clever, you’re brilliant”.
You were created in the image of God, you’re not dumb. In fact,
1 Corinthians 3:18-19
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
8. You’re not good enough
God says, “Nope, you’re not, but I’ve made you good”.
Well, this one’s actually true. Well, kind of…
Luke 18:18-19
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
We can never be good enough according to God’s standards. However, because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are accredited the “good enough” status!
9. You’ll always be alone
God says, “You’re never alone”.
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
10. Nobody cares about you
God says, “I care for you deeply and so do my people”.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you.
Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you.
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
11. You’ll never change
God says, “Behold, I make all things new”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Hopefully, all of these truths that God says about you has brought encouragement and hope into your life. However, I must end this morning with the true solution to overcoming poor self image. That solution is to:
GET OUR EYES OFF OF OURSELVES AND ONTO JESUS!