Fake News: I am not good enough
LISTEN:
Fake News: I am not good enough
September 15th
Ephesians 2:8-10
The Tools for UnStuck
Embrace the moment you’re in.
Live with hope where you are.
Move in faith when God draws you out.
The Truth About Truth & Lies
The origin of lies is Satan.
The intent of a lie is to control (imprison) and destroy.
The power of lie is in what we do with it.
The origin of truth is in the reality of Jesus.
The intent of truth is freedom and life.
The power of truth is found in following Him.
3 Observations of the “I am not good enough” lie.
Satan introduces this lie early in our lives and uses it often.
Satan leverages every opportunity to reinforces this lie.
If left unchecked, this lies moves from an assessment of performance to an indictment of value.
Adam and Eve’s deception broke human nature and only the love and grace of God can heal that break.
Layer #1 I am not… this a negative identity statement.
Exodus 3:14 God’s “I Am” identity draws me out to Him.
Layer #2 I am not good… this a negative evaluation statement.
Genesis 1:31 God’s assessment of His entire creation stands against the lie “I am not good.” God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Layer #3 I am not good enough… this a negative comparative stance.
Galatians 6:4-5 AMP 4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. 5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].
Satan spun (gas lighted) God’s protective nature into God being insecure and self-protecting – “if you eat this you will become like God and God doesn’t want that to happen.”
All of the hurt precipitated by the lie “I am not good enough” has its origin here.
All of the separation you feel when you believe you are not good enough has its origin here.
Adam and Eve’s brokenness gets handed down to us in the sin nature.
Dealing with this lie and defeating this lie – not ignoring this lie - cements our identity in Christ.
Romans 8:1-4, 14-17 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again [believe the lies]; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
“I am not good enough” Setting #1 Performance
Proverbs 23:7 As a man or woman thinks in their heart, so are they.
Performance Truths to Accept and Apply
Truth: You will not be good at everything.
Truth: Someone will always be better at what you want to be the best at.
Truth: God wired you for good. Chase that not others.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (AMP) 8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
“I am not good enough” Setting # 2 Value
Hebrews 12:2 For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If you allow yourself to get distracted from the cross you will get distracted from your value and be more susceptive to Satan’s lies.
Fighting lies is a spiritual battle. To win spiritual battles you have to fight with spiritual equipment.
Ephesians 6:10-17 (New Living Translation) 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Belt of Truth – The Word secures. Secured people stand firm.
Shoes of Peace – Peace propels. Prepared people don’t panic, they move forward.
Shield of Faith – Trust protects. Covered people don’t cower.
Breastplate of Righteousness – Rightness in Christ deflects. Jesus’ right-ness dispels before God is applied to us.
Helmet of Salvation – Salvation covers our minds from clouds of doubt. Our new position before God protects our thinking.
Sword of the Spirit – The Truth, powered by the Holy Spirit gives us something with which to fight back!