Sins Against Self, Part 1

Medieval flagellants as pictured in Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514) (PD)

As abuse victims, we are, for the most part, more sinned against than sinning.  Abuse leaves a devastating scar across our lives.  About that there is no doubt.

That does not, however, mean we do not sin, ourselves.  Many of our own sins are against the self, a direct result of the abuse we suffered [1][2].  And God loves us so much He wants better for us than that.

Low Self-Esteem

Believing ourselves worthless, we treat ourselves that way.  We view any kindness toward ourselves as undeserved, and turn aside those who would love us (sometimes causing unintended pain to others, in the process).

Disordered Sexuality

In a desperate effort to find the love we were denied, we seek it in all the wrong places.  Far too often, we are drawn to partners who re-enact the abuse so familiar to us.  Or we settle for less than we deserve, giving ourselves away to any comers, rather than respecting our own bodies. 

A few of us take the other direction, and forego the sexuality with which God endowed us or reject the gender God assigned us.  That is no wiser, though it may temporarily feel safer.

We may assume this does not grieve God, but it does [3].  He suffers with us, and weeps for us.

Self-Anger

Our rage against our abuser and the lack of justice in the world is either turned inward against ourselves (becoming depression), or turned on others who had nothing to do with our abuse (sometimes innocent family members).  Either way, our anger does no good, and we go deeper into darkness [4].

Self-Punishment

Believing we were to blame for the abuse, we punish ourselves.  In an effort to numb our pain, we pursue self-destructive substances like drugs or alcohol, and/or self-destructive activities like eating disorders or cutting we know are harmful to us and those around us [5].

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[1]  Wisdom Library, “The concept of sin against oneself in Christianity”, 2/26/25, https://www.wisdomlib.org/christianity/concept/sin-against-oneself.

[2]  Bible Hub, “What is sinning against your own body?”, https://biblehub.com/q/what_is_sinning_against_your_own_body.htm.

[3]  Got Questions?, “Why is sexual immorality described as sin against your own body (1 Corinthians 6: 18)?”, https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-against-your-own-body.html.

[4]  Redefine Your Edge, “Self-directed anger can be more harmful than other forms of anger” by Martine Barclay, 5/16/23, https://www.redefineyouredge.com/self-directed-anger-can-be-more-harmful-than-other-forms-of-anger/.

[5]  Mayo Clinic, “Self-injury/cutting”, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/self-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20350950.

This series will conclude next week.

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