God showed me something years ago that radically changed my life, and how I view myself. He led me to the verse above, and He told me that not only was it a sin for me to insult others, or to call them names, but it's also sinful for me to treat myself that way.

I confess that it makes me cringe when I hear fellow believers call themselves stupid, or an idiot, because of mistakes they've made. I have even heard Christians say things like, "I'm so dumb," or "I can't do anything right!" They haven't gotten the revelation that putting themselves down grieves the Spirit of God, and that we are called to build ourselves up, just as much as we are called to build up others. (Ephesians 4:29-30)

When I make a mistake, and my first instinct is to criticize myself, I like to remind myself that I have "the mind of Christ" and that I "do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart." (1 Corinthians 2:16 AMP) I think about the fact that Jesus valued me enough to suffer and die for me, and that it dishonors Him and His sacrifice when I insult myself, or call myself names.

Satan loves it when God's people put themselves down, because it devalues us at our very core, and it prevents us from becoming all that God created us to be. I challenge you today to pay attention to your self-talk, and to ask the Lord to teach you how to honor Him with every word you speak about - and to - yourself. I guarantee that applying these principles will bring you up to a higher level in your walk with Him!

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times that I have insulted and criticized myself. Work in my heart, and give me a powerful revelation of how much I grieve You when I put myself down in any way. Teach me how to always "speak the truth in love," even to myself. (Ephesians 4:15) Remind me often that You value me so much that You believe I was worth dying for. Thank You that as I cooperate with You to speak words of life over myself, I will experience a deeper walk with You, and the fullness of Your blessings!