THE
GOD IMAGE: SELF-IMAGE, part 1
“…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1
John 4:17 NIV).
“…be conformed to the image of
his Son…”
(ROMANS 8:29 KJV).
“...[NOT]...an image..[or self image]... in the form of corruptible
man (yours or society’s “ideal,”
or human standard of an image) ...” (Romans 1:21-25 NASB).
*
Self-image, is also a
mental representation a person has of themselves. Self-image includes body
image (appearance) too. However, self-image also includes personality and its
abilities.
This chapter will focus
on self-image as it relates to the mental representation one has of their own
personality and what “that” personality has the ability to do.
Personality, according
to experts, is often resistant to change. Personality includes character traits,
particular to an individual, that have been taught from childhood, learned
throughout the developmental stages, gained through life experiences, influenced
by society/culture, and becomes an internalized, familiar schema.
“...Train up a child in the way he(she) should go, Even when he(she) is
old he(she) will
not depart from
it...”
(Proverbs 22:6 NASB). The bible tells us that a child is TRAINED to go in the
direction they are going and when they get older they will NOT depart from that
way.
Thus, it is no surprise
that personality and its abilities become basically STABLE and UNCHANGING over
time. The bible also says the SIN NATURE cannot CHANGE. “…Can
an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither
can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil…”
(Jeremiah 13:23 NIV).
“...I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…I [am] …a slave to the (unchanging) sin
(nature) …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
Personality and its
abilities is said to DEFINE you or DEFINE who you are. It reveals how you
interact with yourself, others, the world as a whole.
Personality also
reveals how people express their emotions, intellect, human will, moral
compass, conscience, and the thoughts within their hearts
King Nebuchadnezzar’s interaction
with Daniel revealed the thoughts in his heart, which expressed a part of his
personality. He was prideful about his accomplishment. “…King Nebuchadnezzar. … was walking on the
roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the
great Babylon “I” have built as the royal
residence, by “my” mighty power and for the
glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4
NLT).
Because King
Nebuchadnezzar had a prideful personality, he did what he believed his
personality had a right to DO. “….The way
of a fool is right in his own
eyes…” (Proverbs 12:15 KJV). “…There is
a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death...” (Proverbs
14:20 KJV). “…There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death….”
(Proverbs 16:25 KJV).
King Nebuchadnezzar’s personality and what
he BELIEVED “that” personality had a right DO, made him IGNORE God’s warning.
The WORD of God to King Nebuchadnezzar was
this: “…Your Majesty … Renounce your sins by doing what is right,
and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your
prosperity will continue…” (Daniels 4 NLT).
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but
those who walk in wisdom are kept safe…” (Proverbs
28:26 NIV).
King Nebuchadnezzar trusted in his OWN
personality and what “that” personality could DO. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
As you can see, self-image
is BASICALLY, made up, of a mental representation (schema) of ideas or opinions
, that one has internalized about their own personality and “that” personality’s
abilities. “…But
my people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever they
wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil
hearts...”
(Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to
live as we want to, stubbornly following our own
evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
A mental representation
of ideas or opinions include what a person thinks about who “they” think they
are, their abilities to do things they choose to do, and how they see
themselves in relationships with others.“…
“I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
Self-image has a HUGE
impact on a person’s outlook on life, which heavily affects their happiness and
their ability to be fulfilled.
For instance, your
self-image, like King Nebuchadnezzar’s, is the idea or opinion you have of yourself,
which includes your personality and what “that” personality can or cannot DO. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
If you see yourself as a
WINNER, you will believe YOU CAN do certain things. If you see yourself as a
LOSER, you will believe YOU CANNOT do certain things.
If you see yourself as
an EXTROVERT, you will see yourself as ABLE to do certain things. If you see
yourself as an INTROVERT, you will yourself as UNABLE to do certain things. If
you see yourself as having TALENT, you will try to use that gift. If you see
yourself as having NO TALENT, you will believe
you have no gift to use.
“...For as he(she) thinks within himself (herself),
so he (she) is...” (Proverbs 23:7 NASB).
These are just a FEW
examples of how your idea or opinion (self-image) of your personality can
affect what you do or don’t do in life. YOU ARE what YOU THINK you are. “...as he(she) thinks within himself (herself), so he (she) is...”
(Proverbs 23:7 NASB). Whatever you THINK of yourself, whether it’s true of NOT,
that who you ARE.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s THOUGHT
of himself as the SOVEREIGN CONTROLLER and he was even prideful about it. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT). “...We will continue to
live as we want to, stubbornly following our own
evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
The One who is REALLY
the SOVEREIGN CONTROLLER said to the KING: “…Renounce
your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the
oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue…” (Daniels 4
NLT).
The ideas and opinions
you HAVE of your self-image, it is said by experts, to be the foundation for
either a healthy or unhealthy personality.
Once, you form, an idea
or opinion about your personality it will affect what you BELIEVE about your
abilities. It will affect what you BELIEVE you can or cannot DO. It will affect
what you BELIEVE you will or will not DO.“...For as he(she) thinks within himself (herself), so he (she) is...” (Proverbs 23:7 NASB).
Proverbs 23:7 is not
about positive THINKING, but it is about a begrudging HOST, whose heart was NOT right or genuine toward his guests.
The
personality revealed by the hostess, originated
from the heart. It is “… from within, out of
the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts (begrudgement,
pride, etc.,)…these … come from within...”
(Mark 7:21-23 KJV). "… out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks..." (Matthew
12:34-35).
One’s self-image, like
body image, may not be based upon reality. Self-image,
therefore, is subjective. As mentioned before, when something is SUBJECTIVE it
is based on one’s personal opinion, one’s own interpretation of something, a
private point of view, one’s emotions and judgement of something. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
While on the other hand, OBJECTIVE self- image
would be more FACT-BASED information. Personality, like body
image, can be observed by others. GOD SAID:“…Renounce your sins by doing what is right,
and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your
prosperity will continue…” (Daniels 4 NLT).
OBJECTIVE INFORMATION REVEALED THIS: “..This is what is decreed for
you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away
from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the
ox. Seven times (years) will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the
Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he
wishes …” (Daniel 4 NLT).
“… Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from
people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven
until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws
of a bird…” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Remember, the reason objective information
is more preferable over subjective information, is because, without scientific
ways to measure and observe certain information, it (subjective information) can become
DISTORTED.
Self-image, thus, is subjective and can
become DISTORTED. Since self-image affects a person’s personality and abilities,
this “DISTORTION” can influence a person to become PREOCCUPIED with how they
SEE themselves or how they believe others SEE them. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
God told the KING:“…King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken
from you. You will be
driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass
like the ox. Seven times
(years) will pass by
for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign
over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately
what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled…” (Daniel
4 NLT).
“...Immediately
what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled…” (Daniel
4 NLT).
The DRIVING FORCE behind pessimism, control,
manipulations, conceit, pride, chronic complaining, limitations and comfort
zones, underachievers, excuses, etc., are often BEHAVIORS related to DISTORTED
self-images.
People with a DISTORTED self-image have a
proclivity to focus on personality FLAWS and LIMITATIONS. Thus, they constantly
CRITICIZE themselves publicly or privately. They also have a tendency to JUDGE every DECISION or ACTION
they make.
A DISTORTED self-image when compared to a
person’s perceived “IDEAL” self-image can KEEP them TRAPPED, in that negative place,
for years or their entire life!
This is especially true, when a person is
trying to measure up to their OWN or other people’s UNREALISTIC “IDEAL” of
self-image.
A DISTORTED self-image can become a
life-long mental recording of critical ideas and opinions of one’s personality
that has been allowed to be blown out of proportion.
When self-image is blown out of proportion
with exaggerated negative-ness it will heavily influenced one’s personality and
abilities.
In addition, to one’s OWN negative ideas
and opinions of themselves, they also allow the negative ideas and opinions, of
others, to influence their personality and abilities, even to their own
detriment.
Unfortunately, negative self-images are
further built upon, influenced by, and DEFINED by way of society, mainstream
culture, unrealistic standards, distorted norms, and ridiculous expectations.
If a person doesn’t MEASURE UP to an
UNREALISTIC expectation of self-image it can have an emotional impact that can
trigger depression, discouragement, insecurity, low esteem, discouragement,
etc.
Most people, not all, but MOST build their
self-image upon EXTERNAL factors such as other people’s ideas and opinions of
them, societal and cultural expectations, and some standard of an “ideal”
self-image.
OTHER people, not all, build their
self-image upon INTERNAL factors such their OWN idea and opinion of their self-worth,
what they can expect from their OWN personality or abilities, and their OWN
standard of an “ideal” self-image. An healthy self-image is SAID to lead a
person to an EMPOWERED life. However, “…do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought…” (Romans
12:3 NIV).
The problem with building self-image on
EXTERNAL or INTERNAL factors is that they are CONSTANTLY changing. “…King
Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and
will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. …” (Daniel 4 NLT). The KING’s life
was about to CHANGE!
EXTERNAL factors change ALL the time. One
day the EXTERNAL factors favor your self-images, which encourages your outlook
on life, your happiness, and brings you much fulfillment. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
The next day those EXTERNAL factors SHIFT
and become unfavorable to our self-images, which discourages your outlook on
life, your happiness, and will no longer bring you fulfillment. “...Immediately
what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled…” (Daniel
4 NLT).
EXTERNAL factors flip and flop so much your
self-image cannot be BUILT upon such an undependable foundation. “… Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate
grass like the ox.
His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the
feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird…” (Daniel 4 NLT).
INTERNAL factors change ALL the time too.
One day our INTERNAL factors favor your self-image, which encourage your
outlook on life, your happiness, and bring you much fulfillment. “… he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
The next day, something can happen or
SHIFT and so will those INTERNAL factors. That SHIFT makes INTERNAL factors
become unfavorable to our self-images, which discourages your outlook on life, your
happiness, and will no longer bring your fulfillment.“…At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised
my eyes toward heaven ... Then I praised
the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is
an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from
generation to generation …” (Daniel 4 NLT).
The INTERNAL factors flip and flop too. We
get older, someone dies, we lose jobs, situations change, our children go to
college, we divorce, we become widows or widowers, we get bald, our hair thins,
our health changes, our body changes, etc. Self-image is IMPACTED by CHANGE;
external or internal.
Thus, self-image cannot be BUILT upon INTERNAL
factors either, they are an undependable foundation too.“…Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the
King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are
just. And those who walk in pride (over
self-image) he is able to humble (Daniel 4 NIV).
If self-image can’t depend upon EXTERNAL
or INTERNAL factors then the healthy self-image could end up with the same
outcome as the unhealthy self-image.“…[Only God, the Holy Spirit]...
does as he pleases (not human, even those with a healthy self-image) with
the powers of heaven and the peoples of the
earth…” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Whether healthy or unhealthy, the
self-image NEEDS a sustainable and dependable foundation. In order for one’s
personality and one’s abilities to remain favorable and helpful, no matter what external or internal changes
take place, the foundation for self-image needs to be sound. “…No one can hold back his hand (God’s hand) or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
When self-image does NOT have a
sustainable and dependable foundation, every external or internal change will
send the personality and its abilities into a tailspin, disturb one’s emotions,
happiness, fulfillment, and the ideas or opinions one’s has of themselves can
be LOST or seriously REDUCED. “…Not that we are
sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV).
To put self-image BACK in the right
perspective, the sovereign expert, God,
the Holy Spirit, says the redeemed(righteous) are, first and foremost, NEW
CREATIONS! “…Therefore
if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a new
creature...”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Thus, “… Be
not conformed to
this world...[any longer].…”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). “…be conformed to the image
of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).
HOW? “…let the ...[god, the]...Holy Spirit
guide your lives. …”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “The steps (every single step) of a good man (woman) are ordered
(DIRECTED) by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way...”
(Psalms 37:23 KJV). “…be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (from “old” images)…”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). “...old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17
KJV).
The God IMAGE replaces
the SELF-IMAGE. “…be conformed to the image
of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).
The righteous are NEW CREATIONS. “…Therefore if any man(woman)
be in Christ, he(she)
is a new creature...”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
The righteous are NEW
CREATIONS, because they have the
indwelling Holy Spirit within their hearts. “…God … SENT
forth the Spirit of His Son (Jesus, the
God image) “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] HIS Spirit as PROOF
that … he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1
John 4:13 NLT “…The
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Christ
(the God image) liveth in [you] …” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
Because the indwelling Holy Spirit dwells within, the hearts, of the
righteous they have a NEW IDENTITY.
“...For in him (Jesus, the
God image) we live, and move, and have our being (identity) ..For we
are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV). “... and man ...[becomes]... a living soul (AGAIN)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
A NEW IDENTITY, for the righteous, means
they are SPIRITUALLY ALIVE, because of the
indwelling Holy Spirit (Jesus, the God image). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ (the God IMAGE). He forgave
[you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…he(she) that is joined unto the Lord
(Jesus, the God image)) is ONE Spirit…
[with God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…he (she) is a new
creature...”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “... and man(woman) ...[becomes]... a living soul (AGAIN)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
Self-image is ERADICATED. The indwelling Holy Spirit has made ALL
things NEW. “…. old things (body image,
self-image, personality, abilities, etc.) are passed away...” (2 Corinthians
5:17 KJV).
The righteous have a NEW IMAGE, NEW PERSONALITY
and new ABILITIES through “that” PERSONALITY. “….all things (images, personality, etc.,) are become new” (2 Corinthians
5:17 KJV). “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into
the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2
Corinthians 3:18 KJV).
“…by the grace of
God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
The God IMAGE replaces the self-image. The
struggle and suffering to become some “IDEAL” human version of self-image is OVER.
“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (self-images,
etc.) ? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
“…the Son (jesus, the god image)... [makes]... you free, (so)...you..[are]...
free indeed …” (John 8:36 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of
all flesh: is
there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
“…The
things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
“… THE
LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “...you..[are]... free indeed …” (John 8:36 KJV).
you free,
(so)...you..[are]... free
indeed …” (John 8:36 KJV).
“… Be not conformed to
this world...[or its images any longer].…”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). “…be conformed to the image
of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).
