“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God …” (Rom. 8:7, NKJV)
The important process of self-acceptance and the restoration of love for the self is what we are currently discussing. The previous two teachings covered the third step of faith, and indicated the path towards starting to understanding how God truly feels and thinks about you, and that it is driven by His burning, unconditional love. We came to the conclusion that the greatest thing that opposes the manifestation of the love of God within you is the fact that you cannot love and accept yourself. You need to accept, and love, yourself as the image of God. This enables you to know Him, and this releases His unending love within us.
The J.B. Phillips Translation of 2 Cor. 5:2 is an excellent summary of the conclusion we reached: “For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God.”
The fourth step is then to bring the root of self-hatred into the light, before God, so that He can remove it: “But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” (Eph. 5:13). Trade your self-hatred and insecurity for the true identity that you have received from Him as Son of God.
The fifth step entails asking God to send the Holy Spirit to heal your memories. Like instances in which you were humiliated, or where shame washed over you, or where people said specific bad things about you. As these come to mind, forgive the people who were involved. Matt. 6:14-15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Ask God to heal the memories.
The sixth step: pray that God will remove any impure or other spirit that lived in this dark space, from the temple of God (= you – 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19), and seal yourself in prayer with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
Lastly: Walk in the unfolding of healing. Learn how to recognize the voices in your head/heart/inner being. Your own voice in your mind will try and convince you that this healing is not possible. Or you will still hear the voices of people whose opinions (and especially their approval) is important to you, and you will be tempted to believe what they say. Refuse the voice if that which it communicates threatens, insults or disregards you. Know that this is not the voice of the Holy Spirit, but the voice of the enemy, the flesh, the Satan (Matt. 16:23). Always remember Rom. 8:7 as guideline: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God” (this goes for your thoughts, as well as the thoughts others have about you). Let Phil. 4:8 be a personal guideline for you: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Especially with regards to yourself.
- Selah: Work through these seven steps of self-love with someone who needs it.
- Read: 119:89-176.
- Memorise: 119:130.
For a more in-depth understanding: Read Leanne Payne’s Restoring the Christian Soul.
