This blog is brought to you commercial free by Genesis 3:11.
Hopefully we all know the setting for this scene, but if not go and read the first two chapter of Genesis first and come back. There are two phrases in the Genesis 3 narrative that really strike me when I read it: the first is God asking Adam and Eve "Where are you?" That is the opposite question for most of us, we want to demand that God reveals himself because he seems to be hiding. Genesis 3 reveals that from the very beginning it has been man that is hiding. The implication: ask yourself where you are before you demand God's revelation.
The second phrase that has a special ring to me is in verse 11, "Who told you that you were naked?" Who told you that? This is one of the most relevant self-esteem questions that anyone could ask. I realize that there are much bigger implications in the narrative, but it is a vital question that we need to ask ourselves today too.
There are two polar opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to unhealthy self-esteem. Obviously, there is too low self-esteem, and there is too high self-esteem. In my dispassion, both seem to be equally pathetic to me (with my 'suck it up' personality) but I forget that they are listening to the wrong voices just like I do sometimes.
For people with low self-esteem, I am tempted to say "suck it up," but instead I encourage you to listen to different voices. Maybe you have a dad who tells you that you are no good, you are disappointing, or they just apathetically acknowledge that you exist. Maybe your peers perceive you as ugly, untalented, goofy, dumb, etc. The only reason that I could tell you to suck it up so bluntly is because I am on the outside. My mom was supportive of me all the time. For some of you reading, though, you haven't been affirmed or accepted nearly as much as you need. My advice to you is to ask these two questions: Who told you that? How does God see you? I guarantee you that God is not the reason for you undervaluing yourself. Read about God's care for his people in places like Romans 8 and Psalm 23. Does God ever make you feel bad? You better believe it. But if you are down on yourself you have to ask "Who told you that?" Don't let Satan make you less that God desires you to be. God thinks highly of you.
To the proud I must say that we are stubborn bunch. I struggle with pride, being a male, and I sometimes forget what God has declared me to be in favor of vain and fruitless pursuits of man's praise. If you think that you are superior because of athletic ability, intelligence, humor, or any other worthless pursuits, just remember who we are. It is by the grace of God that we can take in breath, wake up in the morning, or roll out of bed. We were dead in our sins (Rom 3:23, 5:8) and had no hope. And we want to brag about...what? We need to remember who God is and who we are in light of that. Look at 2 Corinthians 4, Philippians 2, and Psalm 8. You are a pretty big deal, huh? Who told you that?
Any identity apart from the identity found in Christ is worthless. Don't let the world or Satan tell you any different. Whether you are shooting too high or too low, my advice to you is the same-- remember who you are in Christ. Read about it! God might tell you a thing or two.
Hopefully we all know the setting for this scene, but if not go and read the first two chapter of Genesis first and come back. There are two phrases in the Genesis 3 narrative that really strike me when I read it: the first is God asking Adam and Eve "Where are you?" That is the opposite question for most of us, we want to demand that God reveals himself because he seems to be hiding. Genesis 3 reveals that from the very beginning it has been man that is hiding. The implication: ask yourself where you are before you demand God's revelation.
The second phrase that has a special ring to me is in verse 11, "Who told you that you were naked?" Who told you that? This is one of the most relevant self-esteem questions that anyone could ask. I realize that there are much bigger implications in the narrative, but it is a vital question that we need to ask ourselves today too.
There are two polar opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to unhealthy self-esteem. Obviously, there is too low self-esteem, and there is too high self-esteem. In my dispassion, both seem to be equally pathetic to me (with my 'suck it up' personality) but I forget that they are listening to the wrong voices just like I do sometimes.
For people with low self-esteem, I am tempted to say "suck it up," but instead I encourage you to listen to different voices. Maybe you have a dad who tells you that you are no good, you are disappointing, or they just apathetically acknowledge that you exist. Maybe your peers perceive you as ugly, untalented, goofy, dumb, etc. The only reason that I could tell you to suck it up so bluntly is because I am on the outside. My mom was supportive of me all the time. For some of you reading, though, you haven't been affirmed or accepted nearly as much as you need. My advice to you is to ask these two questions: Who told you that? How does God see you? I guarantee you that God is not the reason for you undervaluing yourself. Read about God's care for his people in places like Romans 8 and Psalm 23. Does God ever make you feel bad? You better believe it. But if you are down on yourself you have to ask "Who told you that?" Don't let Satan make you less that God desires you to be. God thinks highly of you.
To the proud I must say that we are stubborn bunch. I struggle with pride, being a male, and I sometimes forget what God has declared me to be in favor of vain and fruitless pursuits of man's praise. If you think that you are superior because of athletic ability, intelligence, humor, or any other worthless pursuits, just remember who we are. It is by the grace of God that we can take in breath, wake up in the morning, or roll out of bed. We were dead in our sins (Rom 3:23, 5:8) and had no hope. And we want to brag about...what? We need to remember who God is and who we are in light of that. Look at 2 Corinthians 4, Philippians 2, and Psalm 8. You are a pretty big deal, huh? Who told you that?
Any identity apart from the identity found in Christ is worthless. Don't let the world or Satan tell you any different. Whether you are shooting too high or too low, my advice to you is the same-- remember who you are in Christ. Read about it! God might tell you a thing or two.
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