How do you view yourself?  At times we may think that God could not possibly use us and at other times we may think that we we’re fine and we can get along by ourselves.  We have a tendency to go to extremes – we either think less of ourselves than we should or we think more highly of ourselves than we should.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to have a realistic view of ourselves,

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.   (Romans 12:3)

Some people have what might be called a grasshopper complex.  The Israelites had sent twelve spies into the land and they were poised to enter the promised land,

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”  (Numbers 13:30)

Caleb believed that God had chosen Israel to enter the promised land and take possession.  The other ten spies however, focused more on the problems rather than God,

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.”  So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size.”    (Numbers 13:31-32)

Sadly, they did not receive God’s promise.  They did not have a proper view of God or of themselves,

There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”   (Numbers 13:33)

How do you view yourself?  Do you see yourself as God sees you?  God sees you as one that He has chosen to overcome the world.  We must also be aware that we can go to the other extreme and think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.   Man is the only animal you can pat on the back and his head swells.  Throughout the Bible we see numerous warnings against pride,

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.  (1 Peter 5:5)

Humility enables the grace of God to flow into your life whereas pride impedes the grace of God in your life.  What is the solution?  Paul tells us that we must exercise sound judgment.  Sound judgment conveys the idea “to be of sound mind,” or “in one’s right mind”.   How can you develop a healthy and biblical view of yourself?

The authors of The Cure wisely point out, “The way you view yourself is the greatest commentary on your view of God.”   What is your view of God?  The Psalms present a comprehensive picture of God,

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.  (Psalm 86:15)

When you see God as He truly is then you begin to see yourself as you truly are – the handiwork of God.  May you think so as to have sound judgment.in your life!

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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