Self-esteem is the concept of admiring one’s self. This practice is one of the most damaging concepts propagated in our culture today. Unfortunately, many Christians have picked up on this unbiblical teaching and are communicating it as an answer for people with problems, particularly those who struggle with guilt, shame or fear.
Through a Biblical Lens
Since self-esteem is such an issue in our culture today, we must look at it from the Bible’s perspective. What our culture calls low self-esteem, Scripture calls shame.
From a biblical perspective, the term low self-esteem has some inherent problems. For example, if low self-esteem were the problem with an individual, then the solution would be for this person to raise their self-admiration. They would need to love themselves more. However, this would only lead them into more painful self-consciousness or into delusions of grandeur (thinking they are somebody, when in reality they are not).
If not liking myself was the problem, then thinking more about myself would not set me free, but only further enslave me.
One of the deceptions of self-esteem is that we are convinced that we need to think better of ourselves when, in actuality, we are already consumed with ourselves. Attempting to raise our self-esteem inevitably leads to individualism, and individualism always leads to an ungodly competitiveness that pits person against person. Self-esteem, then, leads to loving God less and looking down on your neighbor with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
In the end, a person who is in pursuit of high self-esteem will negate the two greatest commandments of loving God and neighbor as taught by the Savior in Matthew 22:36-40.
Related Articles
- Loving Me: The Hidden Agenda of Self-Esteem, 1.0
- To Lower Your Self-Esteem is Good, 2.0
- Self-Esteem & the Tale of Ugly Betty, 3.0
- The End of the Road for High Self-Esteem is Suicide, 4.0
- Case Study: Sally’s Search for Self-Esteem, 5.0
- Did J. B. & Paul Struggle with Self-Worth, 6.0
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M. M. said, Thanks for this Bro. Rick!
S. G. said, Thank you for posting this. I have seen first hand how this false concept is damaging. Sadly, it has crept into the church.
E. F. sad, It must be kicked out of the church as soon as possible. There is no room for it.
A. R. said, Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a great post! This has crept into the schools, church, home, its everywhere!
P. R. said, Amen! The fool is the one who seeks to honor self.
Great point about self love. I am often suprised by how much worldly thinking can be a part of the church. I fought this in my communications class at Liberty University and throughout the school in the mid 90′s. Your godly example is encuraging and much appreciated. Thank you for communicating how we ought to think biblically about ourselves.
What about in the case of people who are shackled to satanic lies, producing life-destroying shame (“low self-esteem”), such as “You are not even human unless you can do X, Y, Z or are more like X, Y, Z. You are worthless.” Is the remedy for such a person to simply say to them, “Think about yourself less?” Is there a place for dispelling lies concerning one’s worth and humanity and dignity and self-image? If so, how does that play into the idea of self-esteem, and where is the line to be drawn?
I decided to blog your question. You can find it here: http://www.competentcounseling.com/2010/05/13/low-self-esteem/