INSIGNIFICANCE AND INFERIORITY

Martin Luther once reportedly said that it doesn’t matter which side of the horse you fall off of—
either way, you’ve fallen off the horse! That holds true for Satan’s approach to separating us from
the love of God. One way he does it is through convincing us that we don’t need His love and
forgiveness. We think we’re okay just the way we are. That’s pride.

But the other equally insidious scheme is to deceive us into thinking we don’t deserve His love and
forgiveness. In this case, we tear ourselves down. We focus on our insecurities and inadequacies,
wallow in self-pity and self-hatred, and withdraw into a prison of rejection, condemnation, and
insecurity. We call this stronghold insignificance and inferiority.

I. ROOTS OF INSIGNIFICANCE AND INFERIORITY

A stronghold of insignificance and inferiority filters our perception of reality with the lie that we are
not loved and significant simply for who we are—and that we (and others) are only valued by our
position, abilities, appearance, status, success, possessions, career, or ministry. We fail to recognize
that we are unconditionally loved and valued by God. This stronghold sustains a vicious cycle of
hopelessness, striving, and despair: hopelessness that we will never be and do the things we dream
of, striving to make it all happen, and despair and condemnation when we fail.

II. RECOGNIZING INSIGNIFICANCE AND INFERIORITY

Insignificance is believing that we are lower in order (of less value, of less importance) and status
than another, poorer in quality, or below average. It insists that God can’t (or won’t) bless us like He
does others. It assumes this to be the reason things haven’t worked out or have gone wrong, or why
our prayers haven’t been answered.

 Insignificance is rooted in lies and labels from the enemy, who has opposed you from birth.
 Insignificance is rooted in being overly conscious of yourself, and coming up short when
comparing yourself against others.
 Insignificance causes us to struggle with self-pity, anger, and covetousness.
 Insignificance convinces us that we do not belong, and that we always get short-changed
(self-pity). We can nearly always see how others are greater (or more significant) than we
are in everything.
 Insignificance makes us believe that the Lord does not see us or smile upon us, and so we
reject the promise that He has a purpose for us. We find no joy in the fact that He has
chosen us.
 We live with buried anger toward people who represent groups in our past who rejected us,
or who made us feel like we were second-class. We are often critical of these people
because they make us feel inferior. Anger will rise up against them in many diverse ways.

Copyright: © 2008- Mike Riches – Living Free

A. ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HELP YOU EXAMINE YOUR HEART AS YOU
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST
I often feel and think (check all that applies):

 I am nobody from nowhere.

 I am ugly and weak and despised.
 I have nothing to give to anyone.
 I am not a "real" man/woman.
 I think people don’t want to speak to me because they are superior to me.
 I look down when I walk by people.
 I don’t say "hi" to people, because no one knows me and it seems that nobody cares.
 I am shy (or I am often labelled "shy") because I have nothing to say to others.
 Everyone in my family, including me, is a nobody.
 I don’t see any good in who the Lord created me to be (ungratefulness).
 I dislike myself.

B. INSIGNIFICANCE BREEDS A HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF SELF

 I am often self-conscious and internally focused.
 I often compare myself to others.
 I find myself wondering what others think about me, which leads to a deep sense of
insecurity.

C. INSIGNIFICANCE SEES TO IT THAT WE ALWAYS FALL SHORT IN THE

COMPARISON GAME WITH OTHERS
 I constantly compare myself to others, and I usually fall short.
 I fear speaking to people whom I regard as superior to me.
 I covet what others have (friends, marriages, children, boy/girlfriends, jobs, positions,
possessions, physical appearance, skills, and abilities).
 I am jealous of what other people look like and how they act and speak.
 I only build friendships with those I regard as my equals or whom I regard as inferior to me.

D. INSIGNIFICANCE CAUSES US TO FEAR OR AVOID HEALTHK GODGIVEN

CHALLENGES INTENDED TO BRING NEW GROWTH IN OUR LIFE (PASSIVITY)
 I am relieved when "the other person" is chosen for an assignment.
 I am fearful or anxious of being responsible for tasks, because I believe I will probably fail.
 I prefer to remain hidden and anonymous, and be passed over for assignments.
 I want to be given easy assignments I can accomplish with my natural abilities.
 I only choose to do things familiar to me.
 I only speak to people with whom I am familiar.
 I avoid risks (praying out loud, speaking in front of people, taking leadership or positions of
responsibility).
 I am desperately afraid to fail, so I play it safe.

Copyright: © 2008- Mike Riches – Living Free

  I prefer being alone because it’s safer, easier, and less work.
 I am unable or feel unfit to share the gospel with others ("It’s someone else’s job").
 If forced to engage in a risk—taking activity, I am eager for it to be over.
 If forced to participate in a risk-taking activity, I become tired and weary.
 I do not find joy in the Lord’s challenges.

E. INSIGNIFICANCE RESTS ON HEAVY UNBELIEF ABOUT OUR AUTHORITY AND

OUR GOD-GIVEN PLACE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
 The Lord does not take my prayers seriously.
 It’s hard for me to believe that God has chosen me for a significant purpose.
 I feel I am insignificant to the Lord.
 When a pastor speaks about being a "warrior for Christ," I feel he or she is not talking to me.
 I feel like no one knows me or sees me.
 The Lord doesn’t speak to me.
 I often question God’s presence in my life.
 I do not believe I have any authority or spiritual "punch;" everything I do is weak.
 I can’t see my destiny (even when someone tries to point it out to me), or how I will be used
to advance the kingdom of God.

F. INSIGNIFICANCE FINDS COMFORT IN SELF-PITY

 I blame others for not seeing anything good in me.
 My parents weren’t very encouraging to me, so that is why I don’t believe in myself.
 "These are just my character traits—God made me this way!"
 I am a victim of a hard life.
 No one ever blesses me, so don’t expect much of me.

G. INSIGNIFICANCE BREEDS CRITICISM OF OTHERS WHO ARE DIFFERENT

FROM US
 I am critical of others because I couldn’t or wouldn’t do things the way they do it.
 I am critical of others when they challenge me, because "I can’t change."
 I am critical of others because I believe that they think they are superior to me.

H. INSIGNIFICANCE CAUSES US TO WITHHOLD BLESSING FROM OTHERS

 I withhold blessing from others because I have nothing to give.
 I withhold blessing from others because my thoughts/encouragements about others don’t
really matter to them.
 I withhold blessing from others because I do not want them to pass me up (I am threatened
and insecure).

I. INSIGNIFICANCE SEEKS MAN’S APPROVAL

Copyright: © 2008- Mike Riches – Living Free

  I feel rejected if I am not encouraged or recognized.
 I do what I think others would like me to do.
 I say things I think will cause others to approve of me.
 I feel insecure if others think badly of me.
 I hate unresolved conflict.

J. INSIGNIFICANCE LEADS T0 AMBITION

 I find it hard to cope with failure.
 Success is a very high priority for me.
 I judge myself and others by the measure of their success.
 I see success as something to be attained.
 I want people to think highly of me.
 I value my reputation.

III. BREAKING FREE OF INSIGNIFICANCE AND INFERIORITY

A. REPENT

Jesus, I ask forgiveness for every way insignificance and inferiority have affected my life and the lives
of those around me. (Specifically ask forgiveness for each box you checked as well as any sins that
come to mind associated with each category) I ask for Your forgiveness for walking in unbelief about
the way You made me, and about Your great love and plans for me. I see it and call it sin. I now turn
in repentance, committing myself to breaking the patterns of insignificance and inferiority in my life.

B. REBUKE

In Jesus’ name and authority, I rebuke the spirit of insignificance. I take authority over every area of
my life that I have given over to insignificance and inferiority Every spirit of anger jealousy
competition, self-pity unbelief rebellion, insecurity and every deceiving spirit must go to the feet of
Jesus. With the authority I have in Jesus, I renounce and rebuke in Jesus’ name every spirit that
would lie to me about who God is and what He says about me.

C. REPLACE

I replace the deceptions of the enemy with the truth of who God is and what He says of me. I choose
to believe that I am precious, loved and chosen by God and that He withholds no good thing from
me.

D. RECEIVE

Jesus, I receive Your promised forgiveness. I pray for and in faith receive the infilling of Your Holy
Spirit to live a supernatural life. I recognize and receive my significance, Your love and favour toward
me, how purposefully and intricately You created me, and the amazing purpose You have for me in
my life.

IV. LIVING FREE OF INSIGNIFICANCE AND INFERIORITY

Copyright: © 2008- Mike Riches – Living Free

To truly live free of the stronghold of insignificance and inferiority, we have to practically live out
words and actions based on the reality of our acceptance and significance in Christ. Receive, affirm,
and act on these truths!

God loves you deeply. It is an insult to Him to when you belittle yourself and doubt your
significance. Don’t call "unclean" what God has called "clean." (Acts 10:15)

God has honoured you highly. He has adopted you, made you His child, and called you as a royal,
holy priest in His kingdom (1 Peter 2:9-10). Live like it! Don’t confuse self-deprecation with humility.

God values you greatly. While you were still a sinner, Christ died for you (Romans 5:8). In redeeming
you, God declared your value to the heavenlies. Don’t hang your head in worthlessness—you were
bought at a great price.

God has provided for you fully. He delights in giving you good things. He never lets the righteous go
hungry. He has given you the spiritual gifts you need to fulfil your calling and destiny. Don’t be
overwhelmed by your own inadequacy—He will supply your every need (Philippians 4:19).

God has planned for you carefully. He chose you from before the foundation of the world (read
Ephesians 1). He’s had a long time to think about you!

God has gifted you abundantly. When Jesus ascended from his victory over Satan at the Cross, He
led a triumphant procession in the heavenlies, and distributed the plunder! Part of that booty is the
spiritual gifts that He has distributed by the Holy Spirit to God’s people, for warfare and kingdom
building (see Ephesians 4:7-13). You have been given specific gifts for a specific purpose in that
process.

God has delighted in you immeasurably. He even rejoices over you with singing! (Zephaniah 3:17).
Remember what He said at Jesus’ baptism? "...my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
Scripture tells us over and over again that we are "in Christ." You are beloved. You don’t have to
prove yourself. The Father is well-pleased with you!

V. SCRIPTURES T0 LIVE BY
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For l know the plans l have for you,” says the LORD. "They are plans for good and
not for disaster to give you a future and a hope."

Romans 12:6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

Ephesians 4:7 He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will rind disorder and evil
of every kind.

Copyright: © 2008- Mike Riches – Living Free

1 John 3:1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we
are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because
they don’t know him.

Copyright: © 2008- Mike Riches – Living Free