What Makes Us Hurt the Most?

Being Bullied?  Nagged at all the time?   Treated without respect (bein’ dissed)?  Ignored?   Overlooked?  Picked last for a team?  Lied to?  Slandered?  Plotted against? 

BEING DEVALUED IN THE EYES OF OTHERS.- All the above are manifestations of being devalued by someone else.  Feelings of being devalued lead to desperation.  Desperate times lead to desperate measures- runaways- suicide- rebellion – rioting- divorce- murder- war. 

DEVALUATION = lack of love or loving less than self.  “I am more important than you”…  “My ideas are better than your ideas”…  “My values are better than your values” …“ My priorities are better than your priorities”… “They are stupid”… “They’re ugly”… “They are a waste of space”… “They don’t deserve to live”…

James 2:

8.  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

 9.  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

We all know how it feels to be devalued by others.  It is especially hurtful when it comes from those we rely on to love us unconditionally...our family and/or close friends.  Church family.

Do we see others as less than ourselves?  Are we devaluing those different from us?

The reality is that many ARE mentally challenged/deficient.  Many DO lack motivation or skill or maturity.

The danger is not that we can and do recognize it… but that we feel superior because of it. 

Points we NEED to remember:

1 Cor.10: 12.  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Matt.5:

21.  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

 22.  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (meaning worthless- without worth), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, (in essence- worth less than me) shall be in danger of hell fire. (Prov 16: 18. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.)

Matt.7: 3.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Rom.3: 23.  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom. 14.

 1.  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

 2.  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

 3.  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

 4.  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

 5.  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

 6.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 7.  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

 8.  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

 9.  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

 10.  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

 11.  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

 12.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

There is a plan of salvation offered in the New Testament…and ONLY one.  Acts 2: 38.  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

There’s no way around that, but God said in

Hosea 2: 23.  And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

And

Prov.17:2 .  A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

1Cor.4: 5.  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Cor. 13.

1.  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 2.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 3.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 4.  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 5.  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

 6.  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 7.  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 8.  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

 9.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

 10.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 11.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 12.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

 13.  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Many who think they have the inside track, and just because they have some doctrines correct and know others do not, think they will be saved and the others won't.  That's how the  Pharisees thought.  Many Acts 2:38 followers are self righteous and judgmental, selfish and unloving.  Many only have the doctrine and none of the fruit, as lost as anybody!  Some of the dearest, most Christ-like people I know, are not yet Acts 2:38 folk, but I would be hard pressed to say they aren't counted among the projected bride!  They may be fabulous servants and not sons...but Prov.17:2 addresses that.  Shameful sons might not inherit. Again, judge nothing before the time.

IN CONCLUSION…

Phil.4:

4.  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 5.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 6.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 7.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 8.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.