It's really so sad to see so many girls/women dress the way they do and act the way they do. It breaks my heart. God has some pretty awesome thoughts about us as His children and daughters,but so many times we let the enemy,others,or ourselves define who we are. We often forget we are not defined by others,the world,the devil,or our circumstances. I have even been subject to do this to myself. There are so many billboards, commercials,shows on t.v.,and lots of other things that make women out to be seductive,evil,and dumb. I believe we are by nature sinners and without Christ we are those things. Even with Christ we can still be those things unless we submit every area to Him. The Word says to take captive the thoughts and submit them to the authority of Christ.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
II Corinthians 10:3-6
This is a quote from the study "You see, Satan desires to have women in a stronghold of exploitation,sexplotiation,distortion,and desolation. He knows how effective and influential women can be,so he works through society to convince us we are so much less than we are." -Beth Moore. How true is this? A lot of men do not think this way either,but the world leads us to believe all men view us this way. It's an ugly cycle. When I was in college I grew a lot in my relationship with the Lord. Before I went off to college I defined myself by what others thought of me. I was the 4-eyed,skinny,shy girl that never spoke unless spoking too for fear of saying something stupid or dumb. God begin a process in me and He is not finished yet. He begin to draw me into His chambers and show me how He sees me. Even though I had let go of a lot of the insecurities and timidness in college, I still was defining beauty by my looks. You would not catch me out of the house with make up on! I went to the tanning bed to become tan looking so I would be pretty to others and even myself. I always had to fix my hair no matter what. I was defining myself through society and others. I begin to realize make up,tanning,and my hair did not define who I was. God defined who I was. To Him according to the Word I was beautiful. Not just on the outside,but on the inside. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14 This became a verse God spoke to me and it is one of my favorites verses. Fearfully in this context meant something majestic and beautiful,not ugly. I now go out in public without make up some and I certainly don't fix my hair no matter what. I also have not went to the tanning bed in almost 5 years. I see myself the way Christ sees me and it helps that my husband sees me that way too. He loves me even when my face is all broke out,I am fair as Snow White,and my hair is all sorts of ways! It breaks God's heart when we,as women and girls, try to gain the world's approval by our dress or looks. He sees us on the inside and if we are born again in Christ,we are beautiful . He does not care if our nose is too big in our eyes or if are hips are too small in our eyes,He made us perfectly the way He wanted our bodies. Our bodies are to honor Him.
Another thing Beth addresses is how we see ourselves is how we will act. We act out who we think we are. If that makes sense. 10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 "I also believe this is how the enemy sees you. He just does not want you to know it. His job is to deceive us into believing we are so much less than we are. Why? Because he knows we'll act like who we think we are. No matter what has happened to us,what we have done,or where we have been, you and I are brides! It's high time we see ourselves as we really are." -Beth Moore. I believe this is so true! After I had my second son, I was in a depression. I had to c-sections that were not planned and were thought would be a vaginal birth. A few days after the birth, I remember thinking I am such a failure. I cannot even birth my own child. I did not want to admit this to anyone,but this is how I felt. It was all a lie! I had birthed them,but had to have help. They were both still my blood sons! Instead of seeing how good I had done during labor and trying to get them here, I believe the lies the devil wanted me too. I wasn't any less of a woman than any other woman,but I was acting like it.
Don't see yourself as any other way,but how God sees you. If you have asked forgiveness of the sins you commit,God sees you as clean. This is something I am passionate about. We can be so affective when we see and act as God sees us.
13The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
Psalm 45:13-15
