Godly Self-Perception

Introduction

If you have ever had the misfortune of being around someone that is heavily intoxicated, you know that drunkenness affects perception. A drunk does not think rightly. Often, they believe themselves to be more intelligent, strong, correct (just), and in control than they really are. It is only when they are sobered up that reality begins to press in on them and they begin to see things clearly. Hopefully this happens before trying to fight the biggest guy in the room.

Because the Bible admonishes the Christian to, “…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment…” (Romans 12:3b), it can be assumed that Christians naturally drift toward viewing themselves and others wrongly. Like the drunk, we are at risk of becoming intoxicated with pride and worldliness, both stumbling and causing others to stumble.

Two Errors In Our Thinking

 Scripture and experience plainly state the fact that believers are prone to one of two errors: To think of ourselves too highly or to think of ourselves too lowly.

To think of oneself too highly is to lift yourself above others in importance. In your eyes, others’ needs, giftings, ideas, and position are not as vital as your own. This kind of thinking has been the root of many problems within the local church. How many quarrels and jealousies have stemmed from worldly self-perception! This sinful attitude can work itself out in several ways:

• Consider the man who gives great sums to the church, expecting some extra clout in return. (James 2:1-13)

• What of the extrovert woman who views her gift of hospitality as the more significant than the quiet, behind the scenes service of a more socially awkward sister?

• Reliance on church pedigree – “My Great Grandfather built this church!” 

• “I am much more faithful in attendance and service than so and so, I don’t care much about their opinion.”

• Imagine a deacon (servant) who becomes soured and desires to be served, rather than serve

There is, however, an equally dangerous ditch to avoid - seeing oneself too lowly. I am writing here about  an exceptionally rare occurrence. My pastoral experience has shown that there is a sort of “feigned lowliness” that is much more common than a believer who truly despises themselves.

This is the person who constantly chums the conversational waters with, “I’m so ugly”, “I’m so stupid”, “I couldn’t possibly contribute”, etc. to fish for compliments. It is a sinful pride that uses others to prop you up through forced praise. It is easily discerned that this is a feigned lowliness by their angry reaction when you either refuse to engage or agree with their assessment.

There are individuals though, who legitimately view themselves in a sinfully low light. Inactivity in spiritual things that is fueled by feelings of worthlessness is indeed sinful. After all, hasn’t the Lord empowered each believer with spiritual gifting that is to be used to build up the local body and glorify His Name? Let us not despise the gift or the gift giver through wrong thinking.

What is the solution to these two errors? The proud need to be humbled and those that sinfully despise themselves need to be built up. How are we to do this? It is not through superficial pep talks, but rather having our minds renewed by the Word of God as we are reminded of our value in Christ.

Correcting Our Perception

In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul has transitioned from the rich doctrinal teaching of the first eleven chapters and now begins discussing the practical outworking of those precious doctrines in the believer’s life. It should be noted here that doctrine and application must be held in balance. You cannot rightly have one without the other. In verses 1-2 Paul lays out some foundational principles concerning the Christian life and our thinking. These foundations (right thinking) directly impact how we view others and ourselves, which is brought out in Verse 3:

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

So, how are we to think of ourselves?

Several reminders from scripture give us some perspective:

1.      What we are, we are by grace - Grace is unmerited favor. That means that any Good thing about me is because of Christ! 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 says, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” Also consider 1 Corinthians 4:7, “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” It is foolish to elevate ourselves over another brother when what we are, we are by grace.

2.      We are made in God’s image – You are not an animal, but are made to know and worship God. Your value is not based primarily in your contributions or position, but that you were made by God (Genesis 1:27, Colossians 3:10, Psalm 139:13)

3.      You are filled with the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit resides in every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This means, among many other things, that God is working through you and that every problem and pressure you go through has purpose.

4.      You are part of God’s Plan – You are part of the great and final purpose that God is working out in the earth. What you do today is significant and has eternal implications. Therefore, no day is meaningless and even the most seemingly insignificant actions, words, and relationships are involved in God’s great plan. This means that each day has purpose (Romans 8:28)

5.      You have been uniquely gifted by God for serving the church - This is referring to Spiritual Gifting and not natural gifts. Spiritual gifts are dealt out by God (1 Corinthians 12:11). These gifts are varied so that Christians are intentionally not all the same (1 Cor 12:4, Eph 4:7). This is vital to our understanding of others.

Each of these truths applies to every believer. Having a godly self-perception changes our outlook on life and thereby impacts how we value others. The practical outworking of this in the local church is expressed in many of the “one another” commands:

·        Love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34)

·        Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)

·        Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

·        Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8)

·        Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

·        Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another (James 5:16)

·        Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Maybe the reality is that you are more well-spoken, wealthy, intelligent, beautiful or any number of earthly markers than your brothers and sisters. I would call you to look to Christ as our supreme example.

Jesus Christ is God (Colossians 2:9)

Let that sink in.

Now, consider the attitude and actions of Christ. Listen to how He speaks:

·        John 12:49 – “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”

·        John 8:28 - So, Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.”

·        Matthew 11:29 – “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

·        Matthew 28:20 – “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Let us live by the example of Jesus. Humble, lowly, serving others, and always seeking to live in obedience to the Father. Let us begin by thinking of ourselves rightly.