Who told you that you were too much?
Who told you that you were not enough?
Who told you that you were weak?
Who told you that you were not smart?
Who told you that you were ugly?
Who told you that you were dumb?
Who told you that you were incompetent?
Who told you that you were a loser?
Who told you that you were too old?
Who told you that you were too young?
WHO TOLD YOU?????
I recently joined a good Bible study with Embrace Church (led by Pastor Bri Dupree). We were studying the book of Genesis chapters 2 and 3. Now, when it comes to the creation of God during the 7 days, it’s SO much to unpack there that will definitely involve researching and thorough studying. Plus, I’ve learned of the story many times, but of course, there is always and I mean ALWAYS something to learn each time you read the Word of God.
SO, in the book of Genesis chapter 3, there was an interesting interaction between Adam and God after the Fall, when Adam and Eve sinned by rebelling against God’s command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God calls to Adam, who is hiding among the trees of the Garden of Eden, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Adam explains, “…I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” (Gensis 3:10)
And the Lord God said, “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11)
PAUSE!!!!!!! I told you guys that there is a lot to unpack here.
But l want to bring our attention to Genesis 3:11. Now we are aware so far in this chapter that God and Adam had a covenant, a relationship, and a beautiful bond. Not only Adam had a relationship with God, but he experience God to the point he knows God’s voice. (Remember that scripture when Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27). But the serpent (aka Lucifer, Devil, Enemy) tempted and deceived Adam and Eve and they bit the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and immediately was consumed with fear, guilt, shame that they covered their naked bodies. Their decision to disobey God cost their relationship with God, it cost the benefits they had with God, and they basically lost EVERYTHING. (Whew, thank God for the 2nd Adam = Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 15:45–49)
Got it? Cause it’s a lot and that was the tip of the iceberg…
So after enjoying Bible study, I kept hearing “WHO told you that?” in my Spirit. It’s a question that we all need to take heed to. I’m going to be honest with you all. I definitely struggle with second-guessing or doubting myself many times. Although, I hear God saying “Keisha, you can do it!” “Keisha, you have what it takes!” “Keisha, I placed great things on the inside of you!” I definitely give God the praise for the Words that have been released but later on, I question it. I sometimes even question myself, be so hard on myself, be the worst critic of myself, and literally talk myself out of the will of God. I would hear thoughts like “Keisha, you’re doing too much”, “You can’t do it cause it didn’t work the last time”, “Don’t share that story because the folks will ridicule you”, “Keisha, you don’t have the credentials to do that”.
Sounds familiar? Do those thoughts come to your head too?
Tell your neighbor, BUT GOD! (If you don’t have one, just yell it out) The Lord intervened and asked me “Keisha, WHO TOLD YOU THAT? What did I tell you to do? Are you second-guessing me? Are you questioning the capabilities, gifts, talents, the life that I have given to you? Who got your attention that it pulling you away from Me?”
Y’all…..when I tell you I was weeping so hard and repented. I was grateful for Lord to help me snap out of it and I’m still glad He is doing it to this day. I had to stop listening to my flesh, to stop listening to the spirit of fear, shame, guilt, doubt, and the Enemy itself. The Lord helped me through years (and still) to rewire my thinking which is why Apostle Paul said “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Roman 12:2
Do you guys ever question your thoughts? Like where is it coming from? Is it from God, or is it from the Enemy?
Instead of listening to the voice of the Enemy because he is the father of lies (John 8:44), we should listen to the One who speaks loving truth to us about ourselves:
You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
You are blessed of the Father (Matthew 25:34)
You are more valuable than many sparrows (Luke 12:7)
You are clean because of the word which I have spoken to you (John 15:3)
You are the branches (John 15:5)
You are My friends (John 15:14)
You are the called of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:6)
You are beloved of God (Romans 1:7)
You are a temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you (1 Corinthians 3:16)
You are Christ’s body, and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:27)
You are a letter of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:3)
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26)
You are sons of light and sons of day (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)
Now when we hear, “Who told you that you are ______?” we can say, “YOU did, Lord! You told me in Your word!”
Citation
BOHLIN, SUE. “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” Engage, Bible.Org, 16 Nov. 2021, https://blogs.bible.org/who-told-you-that-you-were-naked/. Accessed 16 Aug. 2023.
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