## Problems: Self-Image

## Genesis 1:27

Mirror Madness!

- When we look into the mirror, what do we see?
- When we look into the mirror, what do we say?
- When you walk in the world, what do you think?

Distorted Mirrors - Destroy Our Self-Image

- The Appearance Mirror - My value depends on how I look!
- The Performance Mirror - My value depends on what I can do!
- The Status Mirror - My value depends on what others think of me!

Until we see ourselves as God sees us, we are destined to feel inferior.

Three Keys to a Biblical Self-Image

A. Get God's View Of You = Knowledge

1. We are created in His image.

Ge 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Ps 139:14-15 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

2. We are seen by God.

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

3. We are loved by God.

Jer 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

4. We are redeemed by God.

1Co 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

5. We are secured by God.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

6. We are ordained by God.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

B. Believe God's View Is True = Faith

1. Faith is built on God's Word

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2. Faith grows through mind renewal

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3. Develop a plan to remove the distorted mirrors of the world with the mirror of God's Word.

Jas 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

C. Discover The "You" That's True = Experience

1. Use your God-given abilities

Ex 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

2. Exercise your spiritual gifts.

1Co 12:5-7 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

3. Embrace your past.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be God…Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.