We seem to have mastered the art of negative self-talk. We are our own worst critic. We lament our appearance, intelligence, or social status. We conclude that we don’t measure up to our expectations. This creates, in us, a type of dismay.
On a spiritual level, we doubt our worth and our salvation…often. After we sin, a demon of doubt claims a foothold in our minds. Have we lost our salvation? Why am I such a bad person? We even question whether Jesus still loves us.
Yesterday, I fell into sin (more than once). The “what” and “how” have no relevancy here. I merely want to point out that my reaction to my sin was one of immediate disgust. This contempt was aimed at my very being (not the sin itself per se). This self-loathing was surely a tool of Satan’s, and it was extremely toxic.
In Scripture, Christ instructs us to love one another as ourselves. He does not say to treat one another with loathing (despite their actions). He condemns our sin, yet not our personhood.
The act of repentance comes easily to me. I feel genuine remorse when I fail my God. Nevertheless, being human, this happens daily.
To feel like you are perpetually fallen, with no hope, is a common response to our sin. Yet Christ confirms his unshakeable love for us, despite that sin:
John 10:27-29 KJV
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
This verse, although applying to others, is applicable also to ourselves… we cannot “pluck” ourselves from our Father’s hand. If Jesus tells us we are “unpluckable”, who are we to doubt him. We, in no way, possess that authority. Sorrow comes about naturally from our fall. Self-loathing, however, presents itself as a judgement. Jesus is our only judge. What a relief to acknowledge that he has granted us forgiveness for our sin!
Our opinion of ourself cannot override Christ’s. To allow this override is to claim that we are superior to our Maker. Nothing is further from the truth.
Stop condemning yourself and allow Christ’s grace to envelope you with love.
-Melanie DiLeo
Commentaires