Overcoming Personal Flaws through Faith Maximization

 THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INT'L, REIGNERS CENTRE, AJIBODE.

Theme: Media Week

Topic: Overcoming Personal Flaws through Faith Maximization

Texts: Psalm 139 HYMN: 352. I Have Found A Friend In Jesus       Tuesday: 1st Dec. 2020.

INTRODUCTION

Self-esteem is an internal feeling and evaluation of oneself based on perceived image, this can either be through your personal self or have you to others. Self-esteem is equivalently refers to self-acceptance self-respect or serve what which basically explain the value or worth of oneself. Believing in oneself determines the level of self-worth your price tag determine your value. It's either high or low. Low self-esteem can come in as a result of inferiority complex, negative feelings, beliefs, sometimes experience disappointment, mistakes, hurt failed expectations that are not met. Low self-esteem= No self-fulfillment or no actualization while High esteem = self-fulfillment or self-actualization. God placed high price tag on us all, either we are aware or not [Jeremiah 29:11.] Beyond what you can imagine, God's got the best of the best so why look down on yourself? Through faith, activate the promises and bring into fulfillment His words concerning you. As we study today, we are going to be exchanging our disabilities with God's ability.

A. LOW SELF-ESTEEM: GOD'S VIEW 

Basically, there are three views of individual: 

A. The view that God has for us [1st Samuel 16:7, 1st Kings 8:39, 1st Samuel 2:3]  

B. The opinion of others concerning us. Jesus before Pilate [Mark 14:11] 

C. The perception we have of ourselves. The mirror through which we see our self now. [Rut 1:11-13]

 As a believer, self-esteem is not pride in self but humble and thankful acceptance in faith of God goodness to us. This is not natural but in Christ [Acts 17:28a]

1. We must know we are chosen by God (God's image) [Genesis 1:26-27, psalm 139:13-14]

2. We must know that we are redeemed with the precious blood of God's own son (Jesus) [Romans 6:17-18]

3. We are regenerated and there's indwelling of the Holy Spirit [Ephesians 2:4-7]

4. We are Justified by Faith and accepted of God [Romans 3:23-24]

5. We are adopted by God (we are His son) [Ephesians 1:5-6]

6. We are sanctified by the blood.

7. We are destined for Glory and heir of God [Romans 8: 16-17]

 Every believer must examine/evaluate himself or herself this way. Believing the gospel, you must believe these things about yourself. Jesus said, the second commandment of the law is to Love your neighbor as yourself. He implies that we should love and esteem ourselves. 

B. PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM.

The decision to treat yourself with low self-esteem will set you as a victim of circumstance. The list here are numerous, here are some of the serious ones.

Constant use of negative vocabularies e.g. I can't, I can't do anything right, I am not capable, I can't succeed etc.

It's pave way to lack of inner peace and comfort

Failure of being involved with others

Constant trying to impress everyone

Bragging and self-conceit

Constantly talking about something he has done

Building a defense around it weakness

A drive for power, superiority or control over others.

A feeling of helplessness or inability to overcome faults

Anger, resentment, guilt and host of others arise from low self-esteem. When a person place a low value upon himself or herself, virtually every emotion, thoughts and attitude is affected.

C. BIBLICAL HEROES WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM OR PERSONAL FLAWS

God's Word present life as it is. It does not try to cover up the weakness of its heroes. There are many accounts of outstanding leaders wrestling with low self-esteem of themselves and their abilities.

MOSES Exo. 3: 8-11, 4:10-17 when God called him to lead His people, he gave excuse of incapability.

GIDEON Judges 6: 12-15 a mighty man of valor felt inadequate for the job

JEREMIAH Jer. 1:6. one of God's great prophet replied God's call by saying I cannot speak for I am a child.

AMOS. Amos 7:14

From the examples above, some tries to justify themselves by using their life abilities in rejecting God's call. God does not value His creation as men value it and He sees the worth of every person. Mind you, you have worth God gave it to you.

D. MAXIMIZING FAITH TO CONQUER

Passing through issues of life and perhaps we've been battered or disappointed, losing, faith is not an alternative. Remember, you face challenges to increase and activate your faith. God sometimes allow us to enter into discouraging situations for the primary purpose of testing our faith in Him for realization of His supremacy in our lives. James 1:3. Let it be clear that, faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God and Faith becomes active by having confidence that I am who God says I am.

Check the following spiritual exercise from scriptural passages to grow out of low self-esteem by maximizing your faith to conquer.

Jos. 1:9 be strong and be courageous

Jer. 17:7 trust Him and put confidence in Him and His Word

Psm. 27:3 never exercise fear. Prov. 3: 25-26

Psm 139: 13-14 you are not a mistake, but you are specially created for a purpose

2Chr. 32:8 Rely on Him to fight your battle.

Isa. 40: 31 Always hope in the Lord for strengthening

Isa. 41:10 Remember, His with you always and His your God

Phil. 1:6, 4:13 your hard work is not your source of strength- He is

2Cor. 12:9 His your sufficiency and power in weakness

Heb. 10:35-36, 4:16 Build up your confidence to receive reward. 

CONCLUSION

Daniel 11:32b ...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. No valiancy or exploit in low self-esteem but in knowing Him by building faith through stable confidence in Him and His Words, we trade our personal flaws for His strength and it result in extraordinary exploit. Stop being myopic in your self-image or self-worth, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psm. 139:14). What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him? AMP (Psm. 8:4), You are of high value to God, don't devalue yourself nor be devalue by self-comparison.