Breaking out of Intimidation Introduction a. Image building is everybodys concern b.

The battle of trying to compare himself with others and gain their approval c. My parentage, appearance, abilities, environment must match up with my peers d. It becomes a life long battle until you match up with God e. God created us to bear His image a mirror to reflect His glory f. But man tried to show his own glory instead of Gods glory g. Now we have a distorted image of ourselves and of others h. A wrong self-image can cause havoc in our lives Pauls advice to a young pastor 1 Tim 4:12-13 12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. King Sauls self-intimidation 1 Sam 15:17
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17 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.

KING SAUL 1Sam 10:1 God anointed him as the leader 1Sam 10:9 - God changed Sauls heart 1Sam 10:10 The prophetic anointing came upon him God chosen anointed man lost everything because of a wrong self image

1. SELF REJECTION 1 Sam 10:21-22 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage." Hidden among the baggage extreme shyness a. God and man accepted him but he rejected himself b. He had the natural qualities but couldnt accept himself c. He disqualified himself from God and man

2. SELF-PITY & suspicion

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Poor Me attitude His low self - image spiraled him into self-pity. He rejected himself and reacted with the attitude poor me

The 3 accusations that Saul leveled against his officials 1 Sam 22:8 (1) Is that why you have all conspired against me? (2) No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. (3) None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today." 1. His childish attitude immaturity 2. Very petty accusations. 3. Self pity feeds on suspicion. He thought that his own men were against him and that he was left all alone. 4. Suspicion kills friendships - it always questions the other mans motives works and actions 3. HIS PREOCCUPATION WITH HIMSELF COULD NOT BUILD HEALTHY LASTING REALATIONSHIPS a. He could not relate to Jonathan or Michael his daughter b. Could not relate to David or the other officials
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He ends up a lonely man

4. COVERS UP DEFECTS NEVER WANTS TO FACE THE TRUTH 1 Sam 15:20-21 20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." a. When confronted he tried to cover up his sin b. Protecting image was very important to him c. Covering up defects with something 5. APPROVAL-SEEKING Please honour me before the people 1 Sam 15:24-25 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." 1 Sam 15:30-31 l replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. a. Mans approval was more important than that of God

b. Doing religious duties, giving generously, aiming excellence could be done to gain approval from others 6. COMPARISON AND JEALOUSY 1 Sam 18:6-9 6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" 9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. a. Comparing with others achievement b. He became Jealous c. He invited a demon He was fearful, bitter, angry, murderous all because he did not accept himself as God accept himself COMMITS SUICIDE!!!!

HOW TO OVERCOME ? 1. Gods main purpose in creating you 1. You are to reflect Gods image and not your image 2. You are called to build Gods Image and not your image 3. You are to mirror his Glory you and your glory 4. Low self image is a result of trying to measure up with others 5. Your only aim should be the praise of God and not of man John 5:44 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 Be yourself I am not called to be Bill Gates or Billy Graham but me Your true identity is found only in God 2. God pre-destined you a. God has pre-destined me to be what I am today. Job 8-9 Psalm 119:73, 139:14-16, Isaiah 45:9 b. Where I live today is determined by Him Acts 17:26
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3. God has not finished doing the work as yet a. We are eternal creatures, he is in the process of making us. b. He is changing me into the likeness of Jesus c. My outward circumstances are tools in God's hand. Knowing that God is more concerned in building our inward character, sometimes even at the expense of the outward 4. Happiness is not dependent on the outward, Looks, education, positions, achievements etc. in life but "knowing and enjoying a constant ongoing fellowship with Jesus" Matt 6:33, Ps 17:15 5. We are unique Differences in appearance abilities, parentage, race, riches, poverty etc. shows our uniqueness. a. The body has different members, all don't do the same function. b. Genesis 4:17-22 Men who built the city Their gifting were totally different from one another. 6. Correct when possible a. Improve on your outward look by dressing a little better b. Study if possible

1. Confess the sin of: Ungratefulness Pride I deserve the best 2. Deal with wrong attitudes a. Bitterness towards parents, teachers, 3. Deal with negative talk a. Give thanks in every situation and stop grumbling and complaining 4. Pray the prayer of faith. a. God can change situations, looks, etc. 5. Glory in the unchangeable defects E.g. Nick Voyechich, Joni Erikson, Accept what God says about you and reject your own feelings