For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

Family, we need to take our minds back.  Proverbs 23:7 is part of a larger teaching concerning the company we keep. Solomon was warning against keeping company with disingenuous people. This includes our own company. There are, in fact, several scriptures pertaining using good judgment in regards to the company we keep. We tend to gloss over are the verses about keeping our own minds and hearts in check. We need to really sift through our self-talk and get rid of some stuff.

In this world of social media presence for all, we are constantly talking to ourselves. Some don’t realize that what we say to ourselves comes out. We out ourselves in conversation, demeanor, or our opinionated live videos. What we say to ourselves, others can eventually see on the outside. What kinds of things are you saying to yourself? Do you put yourself down? Do you see a flaw in your appearance? Have you told yourself you’re not good enough?

Many of us don’t speak well of ourselves or to ourselves. Believers don’t speak well of themselves. We play the fake it, til you make it role that culture has set up to make pretending to be someone else or something else okay. Making it a fine line between pretending and healing after a blow. It could have been a loss that we need to get over or just a quality that was spoken over you that no longer fits and probably never did. When I come into contact with these people (and myself in down times), I make it a point to speak life into them.

Believers are not superhuman and don’t have the ability to never get into this predicament. But, we have superhuman help to assist in combating our humanity and letting our divinity shine. So, what do we do? People have spoken things over us that we carry consciously and subconsciously. Those things could come from someone making light of our exposed insecurities or from someone who means well for us. Either way, those things stick to us like glue that you practically need to scrape off. The kind of scraping that causes damage to get off.

Combating Stinkin’ Thinkin’

We need to stop falling for the things of this world that appeal to our carnal selves and start feeding our spirits. We need to dig deep in the Word on a regular basis and analyze what we are saying to ourselves. What we say to ourselves is just as important as what God says to you. Repeat His promises to  yourself. Repeat the things that He thinks of you. What God says to you means a million times more than what the world will ever say to you.

I used to think that I was unattractive. I used to think that I would not get very far in life because I was not classically beautiful until I read and meditated on Psalm 139:14 – I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (KJV) Take a moment and read that verse. Let God speak to you in that verse. I did. He started pointing out those things that made me unique and before long I was saying, “Thank you, God! I  am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you, God that I am a marvellous work!”

So many of us are on social media showing off and showing out. It screams “I want attention. I don’t feel important enough to the people around me.” Who told you that? I’ve been there, too. When you are feeling not particularly important to anyone, tell yourself that you are a treasure. Why? Because God said you are. 1 Peter 2:9 is one of my favorite scriptures. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; (KJV).

This scripture isn’t anything new. There are a myriad of sermons on the royal priesthood but, have you ever looked up the word peculiar? I did. I questioned why God would think His creation weird. We leave this word at odd or weird because that is what culture has busted it down to but it has other meanings. Peculiar means distinct, special, belonging to as in property as well as odd or unusual. Before you click away, hang with me for a second.

Believers are a distinct people. Man was made with God’s own hands and we breathe with God’s own breath. He spoke everything else into existence but he molded man with His hands. We are special possessions of God. In some definitions of this word it says we are treasured property. I’ll let that sit a moment. We need to also embrace the seemingly negative connotations of this word because it is how the world views us from the outside.

Satan has convinced the world that we are weird, odd and unusual. I’ve been told I’m a bit off but I just smile. I could have internalized that and begun the journey of trying to fit in. But Paul says in Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (KJV). Don’t fall for what the world wants from you. The world has no power over you. If someone tells you you’re a bit off, just smile and remenber 1 Peter 2:9.

Start studying the things that God says about you; about His people. Ask God to remove those negative thoughts and ask Him to show you how to reign in those bad habits. Remember Proverbs 4:23 – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV) Guard your heart and mind from other people’s opinions. The only opinion that matters is God’s. We struggle with God’s narrative because, let’s face it, sometimes it’s so opposite of what we have been living that it’s not real to us.

Take baby steps in God’s opinion of you. I dare you.  Go back to Psalm 139:14. Remind yourself of God’s opinion of you. Ask God what He thinks specifically of you. He’ll tell you and if you missed it, he’ll send someone to let you know exactly how He feels about you. Walk in it and make it real. If you don’t believe it, ask God for the confidence and the courage to walk in it. The conversations you have with yourself will change. The face you present will be genuine and a light to those around you. ~ Selah