Biblical Self-Esteem

Introduction. Modern psychology has put great emphasis on self-esteem. This has manifested itself in many areas of modern life. 

·         Modern parenting is now evaluated (not on the basis of our children’s conduct) but on the basis of how we make our children feel about themselves.

·         Modern education has wrestled with whether it is more important to teach concrete principles of math, English, science, etc., or to strengthen children’s view of themselves to prepare them to learn.

There’s no question that self-image has an impact on who we are and what we do.

·         If we lack the confidence to speak to others, we may not have relationships, or jobs we would prefer.

·         If we think too highly of ourselves, it will damage relationships, turn people away from us, and we may actually close ourselves off from things which could help us.

·         I won’t even obey the gospel if I doubt my worth, or lack the confidence that I can do what God commands me to in order to remain faithful.

This raises an important question: What does the Bible teach about how we should esteem ourselves?

I. Our Lowly State – “Not to think...more highly than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3). This suggests that our self-esteem can be such that we think of ourselves in ways that we should not.

A.  We must know our “frame” (Psalm 103:13-16).   This passage speaks to God’s view of us, but notice what he knows about us—“we are dust.” We must recognize what God knows—we are created beings.

B.  We must know our sinfulness (1 John 1:8-10).

1.  Sin makes man an enemy of God (Romans 8:5-8). This is not true of only the hardened criminal—all sinners are enemies of God apart from Christ’s blood.

2.  Sin forces a separation of deity from humanity (Ephesians 2:11-12). This focuses on the Gentile world in sin, but it describes the relationship of man in general, outside of God—“without God in the world.”

3.  All have sinned!  (Romans 3:23). If we are outside of Christ our worth is well described before this (Romans 3:9-18). That is a sad state!

C.  We must know our relationship to other people (Romans 3:9; 2:11). We must never view ourselves as better than others. We all stand as sinners, unworthy before God. In fact we should esteem others “better” than ourselves  (Philippians 2:3-4).  This is not contempt of ourselves, but how we value others.

II.  Our Honored State – “What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us” (1 John 3:1).The fact that God has loved us enough to grant us the honor of being considered his “children” in Christ, must prevent us from ever having a view of ourselves that impairs our confidence to be what we ought to be.

A.  We must know our “image” (Genesis 1:26-28). Our bodies are formed of dust but man is more that flesh. Our “image” bears the likeness of God (John 4:20-24). He is “Spirit” and we also are “spirit.”

B.     We must know how we are loved. (Hebrews 1:5-6, 13; 2:5-9). Notice how we have been esteemed in a way that angels have not.

1.      We  are worth a great deal to God! (1 Peter 1:17-21).

C.  We must know the hope we are given (2 Peter 1:2-4; Revelation 21:3).

Conclusion.  We must realize our frailty, sinfulness and relationship to others but we must also realize how much we have been honored in our creation, God's love for us and in the hope we are given.