YOU,
YOUR INSECURITIES, AND GOD
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IN
PROVERBS 30:21-23
we come across some very interesting Scripture that gives insight into
human nature. It has to do with various insecure people. We see how
they
react (especially after being repressed) when suddenly propelled to
higher
elevations above their peers when obviously they are not prepared for
it
psychologically, emotionally, or otherwise. Not many can handle a
situation
like this with a level head.
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This Scripture reads: "For three
things the
earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: For a servant
when
he reigneth: and a fool when he is filled with meat: For an odious
woman
when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress."
This
"King James" wording is very good, but perhaps the Revised and the New
American Standard versions are even better: "Under three things the
earth
trembles; under four it cannot bear up: a slave when he becomes king,
and
a fool when he is filled with food; and an unloved woman when she gets
a husband, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress" (RSV).
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Very interesting, but this
Scripture does not
represent isolated instances of bygone things. Whether we like to admit
it or not, all of us have insecurities of one kind or another. No one
is
perfect. Thus, it is well for us to consider this matter a little more.
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Different
Kinds of Insecurities
(Feelings
of Insecurity)
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A person may feel insecure because
of low self-esteem,
which could be caused by a variety of things (known and unknown). A
person
may have pegged himself low on the social scale. He may think he has
come
from the "wrong side of the tracks." He may feel insecure because of
being
poor or having come out of a background of poverty. He may feel
insecure
because of a lack of education (or for failure to do his best). An
unstable
home situation, or having come from one, may cause such feelings. A
person
may feel insecure because of some physical characteristic or imagined
imperfection
in this respect. For some, not having what they regard as nice clothes,
or thinking they are not dressed properly, may cause feelings of
insecurity.
Wrong living, secret sin, and not being right with God (living under a
dark impending cloud) are causes of deep insecurities. Because of
question
marks about ones salvation and relationship to God a life may be
plagued
with insecurity. Uncertainty about the future, etc.—yes, we could go
on;
there are so many different kinds of insecurity. And, all lives are
touched
in some way with them.
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How
Insecurities Manifest Themselves
(With
Resultant Problems)
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In
General
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Some people who feel insecure
become quiet
and withdrawn while others become loud, boastful and domineering (put
up
a front). (What strange creatures we human beings are!). The
know-it-all
person has to show how much he knows because he feels so insecure. And
snobbery really is but a display of insecurity.
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Young people feel insecure. The
young person
who is not quite a man or woman yet (but almost) is subject to
insecurity
(and can be a "sitting duck" for the devil and all kinds of problems).
He or she may be loud and blustery. Many feel the need of popularity.
They
want to prove themselves to the group, and be accepted, and are open to
all kinds of possible problems involving drugs, drink and sex. Many
times
girls who feel insecure will want to wear makeup (and a lot of it) and
will display themselves (and their bodies) to prove that they are a
woman.
And what boys will do! But only the weak must prove they are strong.
The
strong won't even think or worry about it. Only the person who is in
doubt
about his or her manhood/womanhood must prove it.
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The wearing of makeup, jewelry, and
an obsession
with being in style are all evidences of insecurity and insecurities.
Cosmetic
industries try to make women feel insecure (and unhappy with
themselves)
so they will buy their products, and how the weak ones fall in line.
Many
women would not think of facing the world with the face that God gave
them
(1 Corinthians 12:24; 1 Timothy 2:9,10). They are made to feel insecure
unless they are painted sex symbols (Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:40,41).
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Men and women who are not faithful
to their
mates are insecure people. It is not always just a matter of simple
lust,
but insecurity enters the picture. They must keep proving to themselves
that they are desirable. (Think how insecure the many times married and
divorced person must be!). The man who faces the so-called middle age
crisis
and chases younger women really is insecure. He must prove to himself
that
he is still a man
x.
We are suspicious that the
so-called "WOMEN’S
LIB" movement is but the outcropping of insecurity. The
hypersensitivity
about the word "man" is really a joke. We are not supposed to say
"chairman"
anymore; it is now "chairperson," etc. But anyone can see that you
can’t
say "woman" without saying "man" (and the word, we are told, literally
means a man with a womb). However, the word "man" not only has
reference
to gender, it is used in the more general sense of humanity or mankind
(Genesis 1:27). But we can’t use these words without saying "man"
either:
hu-man-ity, man-kind; likewise with fe-male.
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This writer firmly believes that
racism (being
down on other races) is a form or expression of insecurity. Insecure
people
seem to be more racially conscious and discriminating (as well as being
class conscious).
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Extravagance and one thinking that he
must always
have the most expensive of anything and everything many times are
indications
of insecurity.
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The preacher who is always
ostentatiously displaying
his academic credentials surely must feel inadequate and insecure.
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Alcoholism many times has its roots in
deep imbedded
insecurities.
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Jealousy is evidence of insecurity.
On the
job, the insecure boss is the "bossy" boss.
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The insecure person over-reacts. Etc. Etc.--and
the manifestations go on!
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In
the Bible
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Proverbs 30:21-23 has already been
called to
your attention. The earth trembles when these insecure people are
elevated:
(1) When the slave becomes a king; (2) When a fool (nabal,
empty person—a pun) is filled with food (not accustomed to such fancy
eating,
he further makes a fool of himself when invited to such a banquet); (3)
When an unloved or odious woman finally get a husband (odious means
arousing
or deserving hatred or loathing; disgusting; offensive)—thus the woman
who had become an old maid because she is so hateful that no one will
have
her finally gets a man. Look out! (4) When a handmaid (slave, servant
girl)
falls heir to her mistress (an illustration of this, up to a point, can
be seen in Hagar the handmaid of Sarah. Abraham and Sarah, being
childless,
followed a custom of their times. Sarah’s handmaid Hagar was to bear
children
for her. When Hagar had conceived by Abraham, we read that "her
mistress
was despised in her eyes," Genesis 16:4. Then after the son of Hagar
was
born, and years later when Abraham and Sarah finally did have a son,
Ishmael
son of Hagar mocked the baby Isaac—Genesis 21:9-11).
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Saul responded in apparent humility
to Samuel,
"Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my
family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?
Wherefore
then speakest thou so to me?" (1 Samuel 9:21). But it seems that
insecurities
are mixed with his humility for when Samuel would publicly present him
as the new king of Israel, he "hid himself among the stuff [baggage]"
(1
Samuel 10:22). Saul at first did a good job of being king of Israel,
but
it seems that his insecurities later played a part in his downfall. He
took things into his own hands in offering sacrifices and circumventing
the commands of God (1 Samuel 12:13,14; 15:10-31). Perhaps the exalted
position of the monarchy was too much for him to handle. It went to his
head.
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The principle of the earth
trembling when the
servant reigns can be seen in Herod and many of the Caesars. The
original
Herod (the one who had the babies killed when Jesus was born) was not a
king by birth. He was a private citizen whom the Romans made a king,
but
he had to take his kingdom and consolidate his rule. Consequently his
life
was one of insecurity; he trusted no one. The fortresses and
embellished
places of retreat about the land are standing evidence of this. His
tyrannical
rule testifies to this. Not only did he have the babies killed when
Jesus
was born, a wife (his most beloved), three sons, two high priests, most
of the Sanhedrin, and others suffered the same fate. And the story is
the
same with so many of the Roman emperors with the demise of the
republic.
Their position really was an unlawful one, and some of them seem to
have
been just common soldiers who made it to the top. Their insecurities
are
seen in their excessive living and tyrannical rule.
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We could go on. Not many people can
handle
a sudden and high promotion; a gradual coming up the ladder is better.
Even the disciples (apostles to be) of Jesus suffered from this. Most
of
them were just everyday ordinary people, i.e. fishermen, etc. Their
misconception
of the kingdom of the Christ is common knowledge. More than once there
was bickering among them as to whom would be the greatest in the
kingdom,
or who would get to sit the positions of greatest honor on the right or
life side of Jesus. Of course, with their spiritual change and
enlightenment,
these thoughts vanished. Of all the Bible characters, Joseph in the Old
Testament presents a superb example of a man who could handle his
insecurities.
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In
the Church
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It is hard for the overly insecure
person to
be a real Christian if his insecurities are not brought under control.
Romans 12:2 plainly says: "BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD." There is so
much in this present world at variance with God (1 John 2:15-17; 1
Peter
4:1-5). "Broad is the way that leads to destruction" (Matthew 7:13).
But
the insecure person will feel that he must go along with the crowd. He
can’t say "NO" when offered a drink and will laugh at the dirty jokes.
If the women of the world are wearing indecent "mini-shirt" dresses,
the
insecure Christian will be under great pressure to comply. If the men
of
the world are letting their hair grow long (like a woman), the insecure
Christian will want to do the same (although the Bible says it is a
shame
for men to have long hair, 1 Corinthians 11:14,15). Usually 1 Timothy
2:9,10
and 1 Peter 3:1-6 are totally disregarded (but they are as much a part
of the Bible as John 3:16 and Acts 2:38).
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Many leaders in the church, who
think of themselves
as self-respecting free men in a free society, may really have the
heart
of a slave (Proverbs 30:22). When preachers and elders like to be the
"boss"
and lord it over their brethren, they are really showing how insecure
and
unqualified they really are. Jesus publicly said that such a procedure
would not be in his kingdom (Mark 10:42-45; Matthew 24:45-51). Elders
are
not to be "lords over God’s heritage, but…ensamples to the flock" (1
Peter
5:3). Diotrephes well illustrates this negative element (3 John 9).
Even
though Paul had the authority of an inspired apostle, it was used with
restraint (2 Corinthians 13:10; 10:8-18; etc.). These thoughts make us
recall the qualifications of the elder, one of them being, "Not a
novice,
lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
devil"
(1 Timothy 3:6). Spiritual preparation was necessary for him to
handle/rid
himself of his insecurities. The church is a priesthood of believers (a
kingdom of kings and priests unto God made up of all of us, Revelation
1:6), and having weak, insecure persons lording it over others is very
much out of place. We are all on the same footing.
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No doubt insecurities account for
much apostasy
in connection with the church (among leaders and the rank and file
membership).
Some cannot cope with their insecurities in being associated with a
small
church group, and they desire something bigger (a mega-church). Some
preachers
may crave denominational status and recognition (which the simplicity
of
just the local New Testament church does not afford), so they seek it
elsewhere
(or create their own organizations where this can be realized). In
reference
to some of Paul’s writings, the apostle Peter said "they that are
unlearned
and unstable wrest, as they do the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction"
(2 Peter 3:16). Instability and insecurity seem to enter into their
misapplication
of the Scripture. They try to force meanings that are not there to meet
their own fantasies. A stable person will handle the Word of God aright
and not be likely to be carried away with different winds of doctrine
(Ephesians
4:14). An interesting Scripture that has a bearing on this is found in
2 Timothy 3:6. The wording in some of the older translations is
confusing
here, but the idea in the original is how gullible insecure and
guilt-ridden
women are to false teachers who go from house to house. Actually the
word
translated "silly women" (KJV) is the diminutive for women, literally
meaning
little women. It is used as a word of contempt. They are so weak and
insecure
and open to false teachers, "ever learning and never able to come to
the
knowledge of the truth" (verse 7). They who are right with God and know
it (really knowing God’s Word), have nothing to fear from false
teachers.
They are happy, well adjusted, and content. Apostasy is far from them.
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Facing
Up to and Getting
Our
Insecurities Under Control
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We need to face up to our
insecurities and
get them under control. God knows who and what we are (and what we are
not), and all of us basically are the same (sinful human beings who
need
a Savior, Romans 3:23). Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God is "a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart," and the next verse reads
that
"all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have
to
do." All basically have similar fears, similar problems, similar needs
(yes, similar, but some more and some less than others). There is no
room
for snobbery. There is no room for self-righteousness or conceit. There
is no big "I" and little "you" before God. In the language addressed to
the Corinthians, Paul rhetorically interrogated them, "What hast thou
that
thou didst not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). And that is true any way
you want to look at it. We need to stop being uptight and defuse our
feelings
of insecurity. We need to be honest with ourselves. Face up to
ourselves
with all of our imperfections and insecurities. Be honest, and go from
there. Like the alcoholic at the AA meeting who finally has come face
to
face with himself, stripping away all the veneer, publicly states: "I
am
an alcoholic," you say: "I am a sinner; I am a weak human being with
problems
and needs." This may not be a lovely sight. In fact, it may be a very
traumatic
and soul-shattering experience, but you will be glad that you did. The
Lord Jesus said, "Blessed [happy, fortunate] are the poor in spirit
[they
who declare spiritual bankruptcy, seeing and acknowledging their deep
spiritual
needs]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). The strong
man can talk about his weaknesses; the weak man cannot—he is
devastated!
Be devastated! Get your values straight as to what really matters, and
then go from there.
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God’s amazing grace will now help
us get back
on track. Through Jesus Christ He will take away all of our sins (1
Timothy
1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38). No
more
need for hidden insecurities here. "For I will be merciful to their
unrighteousness,
and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12).
Just think of that! God who knows all things chooses not to know (or
remember
any more) my sins when He looks at me! He forgives and forgets (and may
we do the same—to ourselves and to others). Christ now becomes our all.
Paul declared, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not
I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
for
me" (Galatians 2:20). Self with all of its unloveliness and
insecurities
has been discarded. There are no reasons for us to have defensive
insecure
feelings (Christ is our all) for "of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of
God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). We are not the object of attention
and
focus now; Jesus Christ is! We glory in him.
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We have peace; we have hope; we
have security
(and it is all engulfed in love). "Therefore being justified by faith
we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have
access by faith in this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of
the glory of God…And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God
is
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Spirit] which is given
unto
us" (Romans 5:1-5). The apostle John further tells us that "God is
love;
and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God…There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment…" (1 John
4:16-18). You know that when you pray "the peace of God which passeth
all
understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ"
(Philippians
4:6,7,13), and that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens
us. "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So
that
we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man
shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:5,6). Consider Romans 8:28-39. In being a
Christian we know we are a winner even if we "lose."
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"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall
not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still
waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness
for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy
staff
they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely
goodness
and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the
house of the LORD for ever" (Psalms 23).
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With self gotten out of the way,
and all of
its unlovely limitations, God is all and in all. Insecurities will be
under
control, subside, vanish and go away. Self-consciousness involved with
insecurities is really evidence of too much self, pride. Actually
self-consciousness
is inverted pride. If pride were not there, we would not even think
about
what other people thought about us. But as a Christian it really
doesn’t
matter. What does God think? That's what really matters. Our values
have
been set in order. Christ is now all. He is everything.
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