What does God see when he looks at us? Does he see us? Does he see Jesus? I think he sees us both. The way He sees things, especially people, is different from how we see things. Where He sees the blood of Jesus, there is complete forgiveness. Where He does not see the sacrificial blood of His Son, I believe He sees with compassion and longing.
We, on the other hand, see ourselves through our own lenses of our personal history, both good and bad. We all have stories of victories, of dramas, and tragedies. Many times, what we remember about ourselves are the things that have caused us fear or disappointment. These negative things are what the enemy of our soul works to drive home in our memories. His goal is to prevent us from walking in the knowledge and the freedom of who we really are.
Abba sees us completely and intimately, as his chosen children, who represent him in the world lost without Christ. His heart for us is consistently one of love, inviting us closer. So, how do we respond when those negative views of ourselves dominate our beliefs? Personally, I lean into the example of Jesus in the wilderness in Luke Chapter Four. I respond to the lies with the Word of God. Remember, the enemy always uses a measure of truth and twists it to make his lies. Because we are forgiven through Christ, that piece of truth is washed clean and our position is one of righteousness in Christ. So, we silence his accusations with the power of the Word.
A while ago I was driving and began to feel deep regret about something. I don’t even remember what right now, but I began to cry. Realizing my sadness was an over-reaction, I spoke out scripture to fit the regret. Instantly the cloud of sadness lifted. I really do mean it lifted instantly.
The following are just a few of the possible responses to some of the most frequently used lies of the enemy. Speaking the truth out loud can change the atmosphere around us immediately.
If I am feeling small and insignificant, I remember the Word says I am part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9
When do I not have what I need, I quote Psalm 34:9 “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” The entire Psalm is full of promises.
When I’m tempted to feel unloved or lonely, I’m reminded of Romans 8:38-39. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In those times the enemy tries to convince me I am “invisible” or “forgotten” Genesis 16:13 reorients me to the truth that He sees me, all the time. “Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.”
Hopelessness often takes me to Ephesians 3:20 TPT “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will out do them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”
When I feel weak, I remember Zechariah 4:16 “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
And in those times of fear and confusion I declare that I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power and love and sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
What does God see when He looks at us? I think He sees “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 Let us declare, the truth of what God sees.
When we live out God’s plans for us, we leave the darkness, frustrating and even defeating, the enemy of our souls. It is a privilege to grow into our mindset and position as our Creator’s royal priesthood.
