How Do You “See” Yourself? This morning’s lesson was “How Do You ‘See’ the Bible?” We started with Matthew 13:13 and the understanding that we “see” on two different levels: 1)Simply “to turn the eyes to”; or, 2)“to have understanding” / perception. While we can certainly “see” the Bible in either of these ways, such is not the only application, so…

Just like “seeing” the Bible, We can either: 1)Give our self “the once over,” Jas.1:23  Don’t get the wrong idea- the word translated here as “looks” is katanoeo, which means “to consider attentively, fix one’s eyes or mind upon.”  But it obviously doesn’t indicate a continual inspection or introspection because of v.24! 2)Or, we can “look intently” as in v.25.  Here the word is different- it is parakupto, which is “to stoop to a thing in order to look at it.” Metaphorically, it means “to look carefully into, inspect curiously” and is used of one who would really become acquainted with something/one.

What’s the big deal? Why is really “seeing” yourself important? 1)Because the most powerful aspect of the human mind very well could be its ability to deceive, or otherwise justify or excuse, “self”!  I’m not into psychobabble, but I do know how easy it is to have a view of yourself that is completely divorced from reality. 2)And because God’s view of us is the only one that really counts, Matt.7:  Surely these folks would not stand before judgment and lie, would they?  It is much more likely that they truly believed what they were saying because they didn’t “see” themselves accurately- which means “the way Jesus did”!

So, How Do You “See” Yourself? Consider four different N.T. men: 1)Do you “see” yourself like Judas?  He was initially chosen as one of the Twelve, and even had special responsibility, John 13:29.  But he changed, perhaps because he began to see himself differently, John 12:5-6.  Matthew’s account (26:6-13 > 14-16) seems to indicate that because of this rebuke, Judas decided to betray Jesus.  After the betrayal, Judas realized his mistake, and was even remorseful for it, Matt.27:1-5a.  But instead of repenting and turning to Jesus, he decided to “give up” and quit, Matt.27:5b.  Judas undoubtedly saw himself as unworthy to live, but we’re all that! Rom.6:23; 3:23.  His sorrow was selfish and wrong, 2Cor.7:9!

So, How Do You “See” Yourself? Consider four different N.T. men: 2)Or do you “see” yourself like Peter?  He was so self-confident that he thought he was spiritually “bullet-proof,” Matt.26: (1Cor.10:12)  But he too was wrong self-deceived, Luke 22:  Peter, just like Judas, was very sorrowful for his sin, Luke 22:62.  But there was a major difference in Peter’s sorrow from that of Judas, 2Cor.7:10.  Although it did changed his self-image, it did so for the better, not the worse. Peter didn’t give up and quit. From the crucifixion until the story follows Paul to the Gentiles, there is no disciple more prominent than Peter! cf. Acts 1:15; 2:14,38; 3:12; 4:8,19.

So, How Do You “See” Yourself? Consider four different N.T. men: 3)Or perhaps you “see” yourself like Paul?  You may not have ever actually persecuted the church as Paul did, Acts 9:1-2.  And you, like me, may not be able to say what Paul said about himself either, Acts 23:1.  You’re probably not really the “foremost of all” sinners, 1Tim.1:15; 1Cor.15:9, even though you may ‘see’ yourself that way sometimes.  But can you “see” yourself the way Paul saw himself? Consider carefully Phil.3:7-14.

So, How Do You “See” Yourself? Consider four different N.T. men: 4)Or perhaps you “see” yourself like Nathaniel?  Nathanael is really only mentioned in one passage in the New Testament- John 1:  But what a statement is made regarding him in v.47!  He may not really “fit” into our list because, after all, we’re really not told directly how Nathanael “saw” himself.  But based on Jesus’ unerring estimation of him, we know he saw himself pretty clearly- otherwise Jesus could not, and would not, have said such about him!  How else could one truly be without guile or deceit?

Our take home points on “seeing” yourself properly: You may indeed have betrayed the Lord like Judas or Peter in some ways. You may even have persecuted the Lord and His church in some way. But,  You’re not “hopeless” or without value to God- remember Rom.5:8. We were all “sinners” when Christ died for us! see also Eph.2:1-7.  If Judas hadn’t given up and quit, he could have been right there with Peter on Pentecost!  And Jesus was able to make a preacher out of Paul the persecutor!  Just “see” yourself clearly like Nathanael, and make whatever changes you need to make to be pleasing to God! Just don’t deceive yourself, 1John 3:6-10.  As long as there is life, there can be change, Jas.5:19-20.