MIRROR MIRROR 4 – Approved

MIRROR MIRROR 4 - Approved We are not our labels. We are not who others say we are. And we aren’t the broken self-image we see in the mirror. So how can we get to our true identity? By laying down who we think we are tobecome who God says we are. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Romans 12:3 (TPT) God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem. WE WILL LAY DOWN OUR: FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY. NEED FOR CONTROL. RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED. LONGING FOR APPROVAL. Recovering people pleaser ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNS YOU ARE LONGING FOR APPROVAL YOU WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK. Public Speaking, Social media, Clothes, Hair, Don’t raise hand. YOU ARE OFTEN OVERLY SENSITIVE. New outfit, Slow to call back, Feeling okay? YOU COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES. Boyfriend, Joke, Language, Debt, Know truth YOU HESITATE SHARING YOUR FAITH. (Weird, Pray) YOU HAVE A HARD TIME SAYING NO. Outside you are agreeable Inside you are in turmoil ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EGO—affirm me, like me, approve of me. Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget who Gods says you are ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fear of man will prove to be a snare (mokesh), but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Prov 29:25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dogs and fence e.g. Parent vs. being liked by your kids ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Idolatry! Putting people ahead of Christ. People are too big in my life and God is too small. I’m asking people to meet a need they cannot meet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOW DO WE OVERCOME THE DISEASE TO PLEASE? FOCUS ON PLEASING GOD INSTEAD OF PLEASING PEOPLE. 10 Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Gal 1:10 NLT I can’t please everyone, but I can please God. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIVE FROM THE APPROVAL OF GOD INSTEAD OF FOR THE APPROVAL OF PEOPLE. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thess 2:4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My worth isn’t based on what you think about me but what God says about me! Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget who God says you are: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO YOU DOES GOD SAY YOU ARE? You are a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17 You are forgiven and your sins are washed away. Eph 1:7 You are more than a conqueror through Christ. Rom 8:37 You are God’s masterpiece. Eph 2:10 You are the light of this world. Matt. 5:14 You are filled with the same spirit that raised Christ. Rom 8:11 You are a joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17 You are Christ’s ambassador. 2 Cor. 5:20 You are the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21 You are greatly loved by God. Romans 1:7 ——————————————————————————————————————— 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Can’t please everyone—can please God. —————————————————————————————