Today it is reported that many (young and old) suffer from “low self-esteem“. Many books have been written that address this subject. Vast numbers have sat in counseling sessions trying to bolster their “self-esteem” and their own “image”.
The word “esteem” is defined as “worth or value”. Therefore, when we preface “esteem” with the word “self” – we then find one evaluating his/her own “self-worth” or “self-value”. But one must ask, “What standard or weight are we using for this self evaluation?” Many will use popularity, number of friends, wealth and assets, home life and family – to name a few – as a means to evaluate their “self-esteem” or their “self-worth”. The bottom line here is that all men, women, boys, and girls want to be liked, loved, appreciated, and most of all “included”. When any one of these societal measurements is threatened, many begin to view themselves as having little or no worth or value. Thus, many fall prey to “low self-esteem“. Sadly, many churches have failed to properly address this subject as well – leaving church members still searching for answers concerning their own “self-worth”.
God’s Word clearly provides a paradox dealing with “self-esteem”. Notice the following verses.
Matthew 23:11-12,
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”;
1 Peter 5:6,
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”;
Psalm 118:28,
“Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.”;
Philippians 2:2-3,
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”;
Romans 1:17,
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”;
Hebrews 10:38,
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”.
From these verses we can see that as children of God we are to take our eyes off of ourselves, seek the betterment of others, be the humble servants Christ would have us to be, walk in faith – and allow the Lord to exalt and esteem us.
The Scriptures also teach that every human being was made in the image of God.
Genesis 1:27,
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
In other words, every human being is significant and important in the eyes of God; for it is He who made us. Every human being, though an eternally condemned lost sinner as a result of Adam’s disobedience in the garden of Eden, is highly prized, so much so, God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to pay our sin debt on the cross of Calvary.
John 3:16 states,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Likewise, the Scriptures teach that God is not willing that any of His human creatures should perish – but that all would repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ to save them [and have everlasting life].
2 Peter 3:9,
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
And though we are clearly unworthy to receive any grace or mercy from God, having received Christ as our Savior, God’s Word declares in Romans 8:31,
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
If you are a child of God and you view yourself as having “low self-esteem” – set your eyes on Jesus and walk in His righteousness; for the Lord will esteem you as His child. If you are not a child of God, are you looking for the world to bolster your “self-esteem”? Why not trust Jesus Christ to save you today?
