- Mar 14, 2022
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The universal "cure" for low self esteem seems to involve raising one's opinion of themselves. There are countless experts offering advice on how to do that, but I believe that scripture offers the most effective way of doing that. In fact, I believe the scriptures have the only solution.
1 Cor 4:3-4,
Notice that Paul does not look to others for validation. But verse 4 says he doesn't look to himself either. He understands that even a clear conscience is not the barometer for his worth. Where does he get his self esteem? He doesn't! He doesn't think about himself at all. Instead, he esteems Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the center of his universe. His thoughts are not on himself at all. Am I good enough? Do my friends think I'm OK or not? What does my pastor think of me? All of those thoughts put the self at the center. It will never work to solve low self esteem.
The only way out of the trap is to quit esteeming one's self altogether. We are on this earth. We are flesh and blood. God says there is nothing good in the flesh (Romans 7:8), yet it is all too easy to focus on it and judge ourselves one way or the other. We constantly put ourselves on trial every day, hoping for a positive verdict. We try to act in such a way to get a favorable verdict. But the person with low self esteem is disappointed over and over again. But, guess what? We already faced the judge Jesus Christ and the verdict is in: the Christian is blameless (Philippians 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23), justified (1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:7), and without blame, (Ephesians 1:4). We don't have to put ourselves on trial day in and day out because the man Christ Jesus faced the trial in our stead. We are what we are because of Jesus. We must look to him for approval, not to others nor to ourselves. Jesus made us sons and daughters of God. He made us beloved of God.
Instead of performing to get a positive verdict, the Christian ought perform because he or she already has it.
So instead of looking to yourself or to others to remedy low self esteem, look to the scriptures to see who you are. They contain an evaluation of you that is far beyond what you or anybody else can think.
Col 3:1-3,
Trying to improve your own self esteem is trying to work with a dead man! It's not going to work. Bring every thought into captivity to Christ is the only real solution.
2 Cor 10:5,
1 Cor 4:3-4,
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Notice that Paul does not look to others for validation. But verse 4 says he doesn't look to himself either. He understands that even a clear conscience is not the barometer for his worth. Where does he get his self esteem? He doesn't! He doesn't think about himself at all. Instead, he esteems Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the center of his universe. His thoughts are not on himself at all. Am I good enough? Do my friends think I'm OK or not? What does my pastor think of me? All of those thoughts put the self at the center. It will never work to solve low self esteem.
The only way out of the trap is to quit esteeming one's self altogether. We are on this earth. We are flesh and blood. God says there is nothing good in the flesh (Romans 7:8), yet it is all too easy to focus on it and judge ourselves one way or the other. We constantly put ourselves on trial every day, hoping for a positive verdict. We try to act in such a way to get a favorable verdict. But the person with low self esteem is disappointed over and over again. But, guess what? We already faced the judge Jesus Christ and the verdict is in: the Christian is blameless (Philippians 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23), justified (1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:7), and without blame, (Ephesians 1:4). We don't have to put ourselves on trial day in and day out because the man Christ Jesus faced the trial in our stead. We are what we are because of Jesus. We must look to him for approval, not to others nor to ourselves. Jesus made us sons and daughters of God. He made us beloved of God.
Instead of performing to get a positive verdict, the Christian ought perform because he or she already has it.
So instead of looking to yourself or to others to remedy low self esteem, look to the scriptures to see who you are. They contain an evaluation of you that is far beyond what you or anybody else can think.
Col 3:1-3,
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Trying to improve your own self esteem is trying to work with a dead man! It's not going to work. Bring every thought into captivity to Christ is the only real solution.
2 Cor 10:5,
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
