How Do You See Yourself?

Once while attending a conference at a church in Florida, various slides were put up on the overhead screens including the one pictured here. I immediately thought of Proverbs 28:1, which says “...the righteous are bold as a lion.” Another verse in Proverbs (chapter 23 verse 7) says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

How do you see yourself? Do you picture yourself as “more than a conqueror” (Romans 8:37) or like a grasshopper as the Israelites did outside the Promised Land? Too many Christians think of themselves as the latter. That’s why they don't receive all the blessings God has.for them.

Recently I saw a Facebook meme comparing one well-known TV pastor to the Apostle Paul calling himself “wretched” as if it’s wrong for Christians to make positive declarations over themselves. Joel 3:10 commands, “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” Paul’s comment in Romans chapter 7 needs to be read in context. The apostle wrote about his fleshly struggles but then mentions the solution: “Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (verses 24-25). He goes on to say in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Putting yourself down is not being humble. It degrades what God created you to be. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” I heard one minister define humility as “knowing who you are in Christ…and knowing who you are without Christ.”

So the next time you look in the mirror, don’t recite that “Wayne’s World” mantra, “We’re not worthy.” See yourself as the Lord sees you…as a winner!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13

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