Transforming Inner Narratives Through God's Love

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the profound impact of the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our lives and spiritual journeys. We often live with subconscious narratives that influence our beliefs and actions, sometimes without even realizing it. These stories can be deeply ingrained, often contradicting the Gospel of Jesus. For many, the journey begins with identifying these internal narratives, particularly those driven by the inner critic. This critic often tells us we're not enough, fostering feelings of shame and inadequacy. However, the Gospel tells a different story—one of love, acceptance, and no condemnation.

Understanding the distinction between our most precious beliefs and our core beliefs is crucial. While we may hold Jesus as our most cherished belief, deeper, often unrecognized beliefs can undermine this. These hidden beliefs can manifest as people-pleasing tendencies or feelings of unworthiness. The journey to align our internal stories with the Gospel involves confession, community, and a willingness to confront these narratives. By sharing our inner critic's messages with others, we can begin to dismantle these false gospels and embrace the truth of God's love.

Repentance, in this context, is about returning to how God has always seen us—with love and acceptance. It's about allowing the Gospel to permeate our deepest beliefs, transforming our inner narratives. This process is slow and requires grace, but even small steps toward integrating our head and body beliefs can lead to profound freedom. As we navigate this journey, it's essential to be as kind to ourselves as God is, recognizing that self-condemnation is not humility but a form of arrogance that contradicts the King's word.

Ultimately, as we live out our stories, we are invited to let God have the first and last word in our lives. The first word is an invitation to come home, and the last word is one of no condemnation, only love and acceptance. By silencing the inner critic and embracing God's view of us, we can live more fully in the freedom and peace that the Gospel offers.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power of Internal Narratives: Our subconscious stories can significantly impact our spiritual lives, often contradicting the Gospel. Identifying and challenging these narratives is crucial for spiritual growth. [02:45]

- Distinguishing Beliefs: There's a difference between our most precious beliefs and our core beliefs. While we may value Jesus deeply, hidden beliefs can undermine this, leading to behaviors like people-pleasing. [03:51]

- The Role of the Inner Critic: The inner critic often tells us we're not enough, fostering shame and inadequacy. Recognizing and sharing these messages with others can help dismantle these false gospels. [06:19]

- Repentance and God's View: Repentance involves returning to how God has always seen us—with love and acceptance. Sin changes our view of God's view of us, not God's view itself. [10:14]

- Embracing God's Word: Letting God have the first and last word in our lives means embracing His invitation to come home and His assurance of no condemnation. This requires silencing the inner critic and accepting God's love. [14:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:15] - Introduction to Internal Narratives
- [01:59] - Subconscious Stories and Beliefs
- [02:45] - The Journey of Self-Discovery
- [03:51] - Distinguishing Core Beliefs
- [04:23] - Becoming Aware of Deep Beliefs
- [05:21] - The Inner Critic's Messages
- [06:19] - Recognizing Shame and Condemnation
- [07:36] - The Role of Shame in Our Stories
- [08:51] - Integrating Head and Body Beliefs
- [09:21] - God's View and Our Inner Critic
- [10:14] - Repentance and God's Unchanging Love
- [11:04] - Community and Confession
- [12:46] - Being Kind to Ourselves
- [14:32] - God's First and Last Word

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
2. Genesis 2:25 - "Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."
3. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 8:1 say about condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? How does this relate to the concept of the inner critic discussed in the sermon? [07:03]

2. In Genesis 2:25, Adam and Eve felt no shame. How does this initial state of humanity contrast with the feelings of shame and inadequacy mentioned in the sermon? [07:36]

3. How does the Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrate the idea of returning to how God has always seen us, as discussed in the sermon? [10:14]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of the subconscious stories we tell ourselves that contradict the Gospel? [01:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the inner critic's messages, as described in the sermon, affect a person's ability to accept the truth of Romans 8:1? [07:03]

2. In what ways does the story of the Prodigal Son reflect the idea that sin changes our view of God's view of us, but not God's view itself? [10:14]

3. How does the concept of being "naked and not ashamed" in Genesis relate to the feelings of shame and condemnation that the inner critic fosters? [07:36]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of community and confession in dismantling false narratives and embracing the Gospel? [10:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when your inner critic told you that you were not enough. How did that affect your actions or beliefs? What steps can you take to challenge this narrative with the truth of the Gospel? [06:19]

2. Identify a core belief that might be undermining your most precious belief in Jesus. How can you begin to align this belief with the Gospel message of love and acceptance? [03:51]

3. The sermon suggests being as kind to ourselves as God is. What is one way you can practice self-kindness this week, especially in moments of self-criticism? [12:46]

4. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you engage more deeply with others to share and confront the false narratives you tell yourself? [10:51]

5. The sermon mentions the importance of letting God have the first and last word in our lives. What practical steps can you take to ensure that God's voice is the primary influence in your daily decisions? [14:32]

6. How can you incorporate the practice of confession into your life to help dismantle the false gospels you believe? What might this look like in your current community or small group? [10:51]

7. Reflect on the idea that self-condemnation is a form of arrogance. How does this perspective change the way you view humility and self-criticism? [13:12]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Internal Narratives
Our internal narratives, often subconscious, can significantly impact our spiritual lives, sometimes contradicting the Gospel's message of love and acceptance. These stories, shaped by past experiences and internalized beliefs, can influence our actions and self-perception without us even realizing it. Identifying and challenging these narratives is crucial for spiritual growth. By bringing these subconscious stories to light, we can begin to align them with the truth of the Gospel, which tells us we are loved and accepted as we are. This journey of self-discovery requires honesty and courage, as we confront the inner critic that often tells us we are not enough. [02:45]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one internal narrative you recognize in yourself that contradicts the Gospel's message of love and acceptance? How can you begin to challenge this narrative today?


Day 2: Distinguishing Beliefs
Understanding the difference between our most precious beliefs and our core beliefs is essential for spiritual growth. While we may hold Jesus as our most cherished belief, deeper, often unrecognized beliefs can undermine this. These hidden beliefs can manifest as behaviors like people-pleasing or feelings of unworthiness, which contradict the Gospel's message of unconditional love. By becoming aware of these deep-seated beliefs, we can begin to align them with the truth of the Gospel. This process involves introspection and a willingness to confront the beliefs that drive our actions and emotions. [03:51]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one core belief you hold that might be undermining your faith in Jesus? How can you begin to align this belief with the truth of the Gospel today?


Day 3: The Role of the Inner Critic
The inner critic often tells us we're not enough, fostering feelings of shame and inadequacy. Recognizing and sharing these messages with others can help dismantle these false gospels. By bringing these critical voices into the light, we can begin to see them for what they are—lies that contradict the Gospel's message of love and acceptance. This process requires vulnerability and a willingness to be honest with ourselves and others. By sharing our struggles with trusted friends or community, we can begin to dismantle these false narratives and embrace the truth of God's love. [06:19]

"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4:25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one message your inner critic often tells you? Who is one person you can share this with to begin dismantling this false narrative?


Day 4: Repentance and God's View
Repentance involves returning to how God has always seen us—with love and acceptance. Sin changes our view of God's view of us, not God's view itself. By allowing the Gospel to permeate our deepest beliefs, we can transform our inner narratives and align them with the truth of God's love. This process is slow and requires grace, but even small steps toward integrating our head and body beliefs can lead to profound freedom. As we navigate this journey, it's essential to be as kind to ourselves as God is, recognizing that self-condemnation is not humility but a form of arrogance that contradicts the King's word. [10:14]

"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.'" (Hosea 14:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to return to God's view of you? What is one step you can take today to align your beliefs with the truth of God's love?


Day 5: Embracing God's Word
Letting God have the first and last word in our lives means embracing His invitation to come home and His assurance of no condemnation. This requires silencing the inner critic and accepting God's love. By allowing God's word to shape our narratives, we can live more fully in the freedom and peace that the Gospel offers. This journey involves a daily commitment to listen to God's voice above all others and to trust in His love and acceptance. As we embrace God's view of us, we can begin to live out our stories with confidence and joy, knowing that we are loved and accepted just as we are. [14:32]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can let God's word have the first and last word in your life today? How can you remind yourself of His love and acceptance throughout the day?

Quotes


I think it was a light bulb moment for me to realize that the automat I have these subconscious and automatic stories I tell myself that I don't even think about I don't find them easy to locate right away it does take a bit of work um so what has helped me and maybe this will help others is I test my assumptions and one of my assumptions is that my belief in Jesus is my core deepest belief. [00:01:59]

I came to Christ from a non-Christian background I've been a pastor I've done theological training I just assumed well surely Jesus is my deepest belief and it it was a light bulb for me about eight years ago and I realized okay no Jesus is my most precious belief that's true yeah but I have these deeper beliefs and for me the journey got into the story I tell myself and it's things like what do I think I need that I don't really need to be okay. [00:02:28]

For me at least at least that turns into people pleasing as I really chased it down I got into my inner critic and then I got right down to the core for me of realizing oh the story I tell myself at my deepest level is I'm not worth loving I'm I'm not worth people's time love is is fragile it's not robust uh and that really helped me realize no wonder I struggle to experience God's love because the story I'm telling myself about myself and about the way the world must be is fragile whereas God's love is robust. [00:03:01]

I was putting more faith in this subconscious story I tell myself that's kind of how I would start it I think yeah I love that distinction between uh my my belief in Jesus is my most precious belief that's the one that I value most or want to Value most to recognize would be the most valuable thing if it's true but then there's a difference between that and Dallas Willard used to say uh what you believe is what you're prepared to act as if it was true. [00:03:38]

I think the easiest way to start is with your inner critic because I think most of us are familiar with it so I we can start there and you could actually with a friend maybe just say for the first time in your life what message does your inner critic communicate to you oh so for me the three very briefly would be um you should know better by now that would be the most common message my inner critic gives you should and it's always very the sing John like I pict an critic his arms are folded he's like dude you should come on it's very like pitiful. [00:05:05]

If I let my inner critic really run wild it'll call me stupid really quickly so I was infamously fly fishing in the Blue River in Colorado everyone around me was catching and I could not catch a fish and my inner critic I I'll never forget it it was 2016 I mean I was a 40s something year old man and my inner critic treats me like an 8-year-old so that's another sign when do you feel like a little boy or a little girl in trouble like that's a easy way to find your oh the story you tell yourself. [00:05:39]

My little critic said to me see how stupid you are you are so stupid that you can't even outsmart a fish with the brain the size of a fish was like whoa just here fly fishing and now I'm in a shame storm you know um and it was real I mean at the time I felt like that physical reaction totally yeah yeah and so if you could locate okay when do you feel in trouble like I'm a pastor anytime a congregant texts me and says we have to meet I don't say to myself well obviously they want to give a large donation to the church I say to myself I'm in trouble like a little boy. [00:06:12]

Once you find that time when you're in trouble it's a very terrible feeling now you can start to say well what message am I telling myself about myself and now we're into the story were tell our and John it's almost always exactly opposite the Gospel of Jesus it's almost always completely counter um you know Paul says there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus my inner critic says that's not the case. [00:06:48]

I do think we need to find a friend or a community where we feel safe enough to to name it one of the deeper tools I encourage people to do is is you name you're in a Critic have your friends write down the descriptions like as as you heard me say you know you're stupider than a fish you're not worth loving you can be listening for man what does that make me feel and you probably you know John you'd probably write down harsh condemning untrue by the end of this game if everyone shares the r critic and everyone writes the descriptions you've got this overwhelming pile of anti-gospels. [00:10:57]

I think what's helped me is we do have to be kind to ourselves I always encourage people to be as kind to yourself as God is in fact a simple prayer I invite people to pray is what if I was as blank to myself as God is just to you know what and what if I was this forgiving of myself what if I was this patient with myself as God is you know God is so patient with me and I'm so impatient with myself. [00:12:46]

It also helps me to realize that in in some church circles this kind of self- flatulation is encouraged and rewarded in some church circles not all but it's actually very it's not humble to be down on yourself it's extremely arrogant yeah because I'm I'm standing in my King's presence saying to my king I know better than you and I like whoa um you know I'm an Australian citizen so the King Charles it's kind of funny for Americans but King Charles is my sovereign King. [00:13:12]

Today uh as you are living out your story uh let the king have the first word and the first word is come on home um older sibling younger sibling whatever just come home and let the king have the last word and the last word is no condemnation now love and acceptance and uh ask for God to help sin uh not uh cause you to think that God sees you other than as he does and don't let the inner critic have the last word. [00:14:32]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?