Self Image
Today we will Encounter Truth — because it is the truth that sets us free
The way you think about yourself and your abilities or appearance. The perception you have about yourself because of what you look like and what people have said about you.
Introduction to Self Image (Inner Image)
As in a mirror face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man
GNT — it is your own self that you see in your heart
Self: the soul of man, the seat of affections, emotion, desire, reason and understanding, it the personality and character of man, the subconscious
Your attitudes, actions, responses, and reactions to life's circumstances are all a product of what you choose to believe about yourself. The internal directly affects the external. You don't do anything without first thinking it
Set your mind on the things of the flesh vs the spirit
How the Self-Image is Developed
Whether we realize it or not, all of our lives our self image has been developed and its continuing to be developed through outward situations, circumstances, or voices
Words spoken over us since the day we were born and all through our formative years have developed our self image. Words are a powerful spiritual force that transmit an image
The power of life and death are in the tongue {sticks and stones break more than just our bones.} blessing vs cursing
Share my story of fear because of what was spoken over me (Be Quiet)
This led me to never asking for help even though i knew i needed help
Especially when i had a very traumatic experience, something that happened at 12 I didn't share until about 15 years later
This created a wall in my life, a defense mechanism, people would feel it
So I battled for 7 years, internally, who am I? My lifestyle continued to feed this bondage, Even as a christian i had a level of a False perception of pride, defending myself, independent
The Battle of Who Am I
Your hope for growth, meaning and fulfillment in life as a Christian is based on understanding who you are — specifically your identity in Christ as a child of God
Because most of us were not raised in a Spirit filled, word of faith, God fearing home, disciple making home we have been raised in the culture and belief system of this world
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins
AMP — for You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age]
MSG — You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live.
The News, Hollywood: movies, celebrity lifestyle, hidden agendas, Music: genres of music, Social Media, secularism, evolution theory in schools
Studies show a link between excessive social media use and decreased sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and changes in brain activity, especially in adolescents. Impact on developing brains emotional regulation and social behavior. Social media can also impact body image, leading to negative comparisons and unrealistic expectations
Everything we learned taught us how to live apart from God and in sin which causes death
According to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
The devil deceives and cons us to thinking apart from God's word — his strategy is to introduce his thoughts and ideas into your mind and deceive into believing they are yours
Gen 3:1 — Did God really say??
Revelation 12:9 (deceiver of the whole world, 1John Under the sway of the evil one, Jesus Said in John he is the Father of lies)
This has given a foundation for the devil to condition us for ungodly living and has allowed demonic influences to be present: deceive, tempt, oppress, and influence
As a believer you are now a temple of the Holy Spirit, you belong to God, you were bought at a price — you cannot be owned by the devil and you cannot be demon possessed. But you can be influenced by satan through demons
We must confront these issues and not run from them — Encounter truth
How to Develop a Positive Self-Image
We must recognize and renounce the bondage in our life that has caused us to have a negative self image.
Negative Self Images:We must declare over ourselves what the word of God says about who we are. The Word of God carries life and it carries the power to change your self image.
If my words abide in you, you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free
You are who God says you are.
Declare the I AMs