The Good, Beautiful and Kind: Laying Down the False Self
Speaker: Pastor Pierre du Plessis
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 18:10-14; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Philippians 3:4-6; James 4:10
Naaman, commander of the army of Syria, was a great, honorable and might man of valor known for his conquests. He wore elaborated decorated armor which reflected his high position and enhanced the perception he desired from others. But he was projecting a false image of himself, for beneath the armor was a man weakened by leprosy in his body, filled with pride in his heart and one who refused to allow his authentic self be seen. Like Naaman, we all have parts of ourselves that we do not want others to see and we hide behind some form of “armor” to protect our true self. Our fear is that if others were to see it, their value or perception of us might change. We may even struggle with the question of whether we are “enough” to be valued, loved, or respected.
Naaman had to make a decision whether to continue to hide behind his armor and suffer a debilitating disease or to get naked and dip seven times in the dirty Jordan River to be made whole. We too have the choice to protect our false self or to seek to liberate our true self.
We may influence the opinions of others, but God is not impressed with the false self we project, for He already knows our true self, loves us anyway, and is willing to be gracious towards us.
GROUP QUESTIONS:
What resonated with you as you listened to this sermon and reviewed it?
Take a moment to think honestly about yourself. You do not have to share your answers, but what deficiencies or weaknesses do you have that you may not want others to see or know about?
What are ways people try to hide the deficiencies of their true identity under “armor”?
What can we do to begin the process of liberating our true self?
Thomas Keating was quoted as saying that sometimes a sense of failure and the sense of “not enough” is a great means to true humility which is what God most looks for in us. Do you see this struggle as a form of humility or a form of insecurity? What is the difference?
It was said that pride has the power to stop our miracle to freedom. What does this mean to you?
Read Luke 18:10-14. How did the Pharisee deflect eyes from his true self? How was the tax collector’s attitude different from the Pharisee’s?
Read Philippians 3:4-6. Here The Apostle Paul lists his pedigree and accomplishments. Yet he had a weakness, a throne in his flesh. According to 2 Corinthians 12:9, how did he handle his weakness? What can we learn from his experiences?
