The word self-worth is derived from two 1650 old English words and means more than just finding one’s worth in oneself. Where you begin your journey of self-worth is a powerful decision. You can start with yourself, which always ends in “self-worship,” based on how well you believe you measure up. Or you can begin with God, the Ultimate source of worth and value, which ends in worship of Him.
Men tend to rely heavily on their jobs as a primary source of self-worth. While they also look to their family for this, it often takes second place, leaving a wife, child, or girlfriend (if single) feeling left out and rejected. We see this in Genesis 3:17-19 where the ground is the focus after Adam ate from the forbidden tree. Women tend to rely heavily on their relationship connections or lack thereof in their relationships as their primary source of self-worth. Work can also be a focus, but family or dating relationships are usually higher on the list. This is strongly hinted at in Genesis 3:16, where childbirth is the focus after Eve ate from the forbidden tree.
People also focus on other things in an attempt to find lasting self-worth, such as physical appearance, past successes or failures, finances, health, the opinions of others, others’ opinions, and possessions. In general, we tend to add up our pluses and minuses to decide if they equate with self-worth. Yet, these don’t last.
Even our focus on God can be skewed by Satan’s lies when it comes to finding our self-worth in Him. Here are some examples.
• SATAN’S LIE – your body and personality have flaws that diminish your self-worth.
• GOD’S TRUTH – You have self-worth because God planned to express His love and life through your body and personality.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God-you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
Psalms 139:13-14 The Message
• SATAN’S LIE – you have committed too many sins and mistakes to have self-worth.
• GOD’S TRUTH – You have self-worth because Jesus gave His life for you so His Father can find no fault in you.
With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin. Hebrews 10:14 GNT
• SATAN’S LIE – To have self-worth, you must improve your appearance, performance, position, relationships, and others’ opinions.
• GOD’S TRUTH – You have self-worth because God united Himself with you to love you from the inside and express Himself through you.
God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive – a living soul! Genesis 2:7 The Message
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
• SATAN’S LIE – God doesn’t think very highly of you because you still fail, sometimes sin, and are disappointing to Him.
• GOD’S TRUTH – You have self-worth because Jesus gave His life to have you. You are a treasure to him and a pearl of great value. This is shown in these two parables, where Jesus is the man and the merchant.
44 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. 45 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! Matthew 13 NLT
How can you apply this? Choose to believe God’s truth often. Men and ladies, contact us for a consultation to help you overcome Satan’s lies about your self-worth. Don’t let your past or present hold you back from God’s best for you! Otherwise, you will live from your wounds for the rest of your lives! Email/text us at 704-522-9026 or email us at info@gracelifeinternational.
