The Wrong View of Self-Esteem

Today there is a message about self-esteem, both powerful and prevalent, which constitutes nothing less than an attack upon the biblical gospel and an assault upon genuine Christian self-esteem.

Christians must be able to differentiate the self-esteem that is rooted in the gospel from the self-esteem that arises from the pride of the natural heart of man. The modern gospel, a false gospel, of self-esteem is wholly unchristian. For example, the psychologist, Stanley Coopersmith, describes a good, positive self-image as one's evaluation of himself with approval because he regards himself as capable, significant, successful, and worthy. The Christian psychologist, H. Norman Wright, describes self-esteem as one's sense of personal worthiness, as the feeling of "I am good." And one of the most influential purveyors of the unchristian message of self-esteem, the television preacher, Robert Schuller, describes self-esteem this way: "Self-esteem is the human hunger for the divine dignity that God intended to be our emotional birthright as children created in His image." Again, from Schuller: "Self-esteem is pride in being a human being." Yet again, "Self-esteem is feeling good about one's self because one has been working hard and well." And again, from Schuller: "Since the opposite of good self-esteem is that in a person which caused him to say 'I am unworthy,' (which, says Schuller, is the worst sin that a man or woman can commit), self-esteem is the feeling, 'I am worthy.'" (Quotes from Schuller's book, Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, 1982).

All of these descriptions and definitions of self-esteem are basically the same. Therefore, we may sum up self-esteem as it is understood today... "The proper and healthy self-esteem that every person should have and can have is the feeling about himself that he is good, worthy, and capable simply by virtue of the fact that he is a human being. Self-esteem is feeling good about one's self as a human being." The opposite of self-esteem, then, for these men is the conviction that one is bad, unworthy, and lacking in ability. This kind of self-image, or self-esteem, we are told, is a psychological disorder, indeed, a theological and spiritual weakness. In fact, they do not hesitate to say that the feeling or the conviction about one's self that one is not good but unworthy is the worst theological and spiritual sin that one can possibly commit. A negative self-image must be overcome.

The advocates of good (high) self-esteem in this sense are convinced that bad (low) self-esteem is a very serious problem in American society, if not the most serious problem of all. Their promotion of good self-esteem, therefore, takes on all the fervor of a crusade. Robert Schuller, for example, suggests that poor self-esteem is the cause of all the world's problems. And he states that it is the core of sin, indeed the core of all sin.

Another popular advocate of self-esteem is the religious psychologist, James Dobson. However, I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting that there is nothing to be learned from James Dobson. I am only saying that James Dobson also advocates self-esteem. And he stresses the seriousness of what he sees as the problem in American society today. From his book Hide or Seek he says... "An epidemic of inferiority is raging throughout our society." Also, "lack of self-esteem produces more symptoms of psychiatric disorder than any other factor yet identified."

These views of self-esteem, prevalent and popularized in our society, are thoroughly unbiblical. It is nothing less than a denial of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

These representatives, Christian leaders and secular psychologists, of an unChristian view of self-esteem have as their good news, their gospel to all men, "You are good. You only have to believe it and act on it." They preach self-esteem instead of repentance. They preach self instead of Christ. This kind of self-esteem destroys the gospel. Such self-esteem is self-deification, the sin of the natural man. And the gospel demolishes this as pride and self-deification.

The alternative to this kind of self-esteem is not that we deny a proper self-esteem altogether. Proper and positive Christian self-esteem is anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every one who believes the gospel, gains a positive self-worth that far exceeds the self-esteem based on self elevation. Good self-esteem, proper for Christians, is an enhancement of our self-worth by grace, and not by our fallen nature.

But that’s not what the world projects. Self-esteem has become the free world's antidote for all the things we don’t want to deal with. With low self-esteem, you no longer need to take responsibility for your actions. The cult of self-esteem eliminates the necessity for personal accountability and responsible behavior.

Today, self-esteem has become the essential platform for happiness in life. Unless you love yourself you will not be happy. But to assume that we must love ourselves, that God will not love us as much as we need to be loved is a form of practical atheism. We say we believe in God but we don't trust Him??? Instead, many Christians live by the very unbiblical credo... "God loves those who love themselves."

Another very serious problem is that Christians have begun to excuse evil or destructive behavior on the grounds of low self-esteem. But self-esteem, whether high or low, does not determine our actions. We are singularly accountable for our choices, the things we do and for trying to do good and avoid evil. Low self-esteem does not make someone an alcoholic, nor does it make a person finally able to admit his or her addiction and do something about it. Both of these decisions are up to each of us regardless of our level of self-esteem.

In giving school children happy faces for all their homework just because it was handed in or giving them trophies for just being on the team is flattery of the kind found in commercial marketing slogans — "You deserve a break today," "You are the boss," "Have it your way." Such self love is an extreme expression of an individualistic psychology long supported by the unrealistic images of life in world made up of perfect bodies, the perfect car, the ultimate vacation, the one-of-kind home, and the most meaningful job. Reinforcement begins early in life, as educators gratify the vanity of even our youngest children with repetitive mantras like... "You are the most important person in the whole world."

Like an essential vitamin or mineral missing in a person's bloodstream, the apostles of this false god propagate the notion that all anyone needs to cure any problem—craving or addiction, emotional or physical—is a shot of self-esteem.

Let’s look at this cultural and social dilemma from a Christian perspective. 

Can we really feel inadequate when God has equipped us with at least one Spiritual gift to use to His glory (1st Corinthians 12:27-31)? 

We are saved individuals who are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17); can we really feel inferior to others…especially in a world of so many unsaved people? 

God promises to complete us for the task to which He has called us (1st Thessalonians 5:24); can we really doubt ourselves? 

God made us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27); should we really have a hard time accepting ourselves the way we are? 

Finally... God sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8); so can we look at that fact and still not find self-worth?

We live in the presence of God. Our attention, life focus and our energies must be directed, not to self, but to God. The great concern of our lives is not self-esteem, but must be God-esteem. The sin that troubles us most is not that we think too little of ourselves, but that we fail to think highly enough of God.

Two Radically opposing views of Self-Esteem: Secular & Christian

The secular media says that the critical problem affecting the youth of today is poor or very low self-esteem. A bad self-image is being cited as the cause of teen suicide, drug abuse, even crime and violence. Educators and community leaders are trying to find ways to help children bolster their self-esteem.

So, one might ask how does this happen? Where does this plague of low self-esteem come from? Ironically, it comes straight from the secular, humanistic system that society has been indoctrinating our young people with, primarily in schools. Humanism is fostered by the teaching of evolutionary science, materialism and moral relativism in our popular media and public school system. Secular Humanism is an attempt to function as a civilized society with the exclusion of God and His moral principles.

Humanists have been very successful in propagating their beliefs. Their primary approach is to target our youth through institutions of learning. John J. Dunphy, in his essay, The Humanist (1983), illustrates their frightening strategic focus, "The battle for humankind's future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith: A religion of humanity -- utilizing a classroom instead of a pulpit to carry humanist values into wherever they teach. The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new -- the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism."

Where can the young people of this generation get a healthy and accurate view of self-esteem? From the very Christian principles society is rejecting, and trying so desperately to keep out of classrooms and all public life.

Let’s review the core of secular humanism and Christianity’s foundations and see if one is more encouraging of self-esteem, and then you can decide for yourself why America’s youth are feeling like they, their lives and values have so little meaning and purpose.

The Secular Basis for Self-Esteem
At the core of secular humanism... You are the descendant of a tiny cell of primordial protoplasm that washed up on an ocean beach ten billion years ago. You are the blind and arbitrary product of time, chance and natural forces. Your closest living relatives swing from trees and eat crackers at the zoo.

You are a mere grab-bag of atomic particles, a conglomeration of genetic substance. You exist on a tiny planet in a minute solar system in an obscure galaxy in a remote and empty corner of a vast, cold, and meaningless universe. You are flying through lifeless space with no purpose, no direction, no control, and no destiny but final destruction.

You are a purely biological entity, different only in degree but not in kind from a microbe, virus or amoeba. You have no essence beyond your body, and at death you will cease to exist entirely. What little life you do have is confined to a fragile body aimlessly moving through a world plagued by war, famine and disease. The only question is whether the world will manage to blow itself up before your brief and pointless life ends on its own.

In short, you came from nothing, you are going nowhere, and you will end your brief cosmic journey beneath six feet of dirt, where all that is you will become food for bacteria and rot with worms.

It sounds very harsh and bleak, but this is a summary of the cornerstone of secular humanism. Humanism holds that the universe exists for no purpose. We humans are the result of a blind and random process that does not foster any kind of meaning or purpose to life. God has been removed from the purpose of life, as the Creator of life. When that becomes the basis for all human values, a world without God, we lose any transcendent purpose for the universe in which we live.

Without God, we lose any basis that gives meaning to our individual lives. If the humanistic views were true, why would anyone feel good about yourselves? The mantra of humanism... Eat, drink and be merry... for tomorrow we all die. Rather bleak, don’t you think?

The Christian Basis for Self-Esteem
You are a special creation of a loving, good and all powerful God. You are the climax of his creation, the magnum opus of the greatest artist in the universe... God. You are created in His image, with capacities to think, feel, and worship that set you above all other life forms. You differ from the animals not simply in degree, but in kind.

Not only is humankind unique, but you as an individual are personally and eminently unique among all humanity... in other words there is no one else just like you. God perfectly masterminded the exact combination of DNA and chromosomes that constitute your genetic code, making you different from all other human beings who have ever lived or ever will live.

Yes, we are sinners, and in and of ourselves, we do not deserve God’s love and grace. But despite humanities rebellion, God the Creator loved us so much and He so intensely desires our worship and companionship and affection that he gave the life of his only Son that we might look forward to eternity with Him (John 3:16). If you are willing to accept the free gift of salvation, you can become a child of God, the King of the universe. Think about that! You, me, God loves us and wants us to be part of His family forever. How cool is that? It’s reason to think positive and be hopeful for sure.

As a Christian, you are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. He has given you special gifts and abilities to serve him in a particular and unique way.

Your heavenly Father is sovereign, and will allow nothing to cross your path that is not God-filtered, so long as you allow Him to act as your life-filter. He cares for you so much that He is totally available to you at all times, and listens to every word you say. He knows what you need and when you need it, even when you don’t understand what’s going on in your life. He cares deeply about your hurts, and has a perfect plan for your life. He has given you the inspired Word of God as a road-map for living. He gives you the truth that sets you free, a life that is abundant and eternal, and a spiritual family that loves and needs you.

Man’s destiny has always been to live forever in a magnificent kingdom, to reign with Christ over the universe. You will forever enjoy the wonders of his presence and the marvels of his creations. You will spend eternity in intimate and joyful fellowship with your beloved Lord and His precious spiritual family.

Now, how does that make you feel about yourself? And how does it make you feel to know that the Creator God of the universe values humanity above all other creation?

There is nothing in our secular world, none of its ideals or philosophies that can compare with what God has given to the human family. So, it stands to reason that your self-worth, how you view your present and future... your self-esteem will be very healthy    and very high if you platform your life on God’s truth... His promises and His guidance and leading in your life.

Let Him into your life and watch what happens to your self-esteem.

The Week God changed the World!

We are now in the midst of Holy Week, traditionally the epicenter of the Christian calendar.


The tradition of Holy Week began when Christians making pilgrimages to Jerusalem had an overwhelming desire to re-enact the last moments and scenes of the life of Christ in dramatic presentations. There is an ancient text called The Pilgrimage of Egeria which describes a fourth century visit to Jerusalem. It was noted that people were already observing Holy Week by this point in history, so it dates back many, many centuries.



There are five days in this week that are set apart: It began this past weekend with Palm Sunday, and includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.



Maundy Thursday denotes when Jesus washed the disciples' feet during what is known as the Last Supper on the night He was betrayed. The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for command; when Jesus washed their feet, He said... A new commandment I give you—love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34). Some churches actually have a foot-washing ceremony or service on Maundy Thursday.



Good Friday is the day we mark the anniversary of when Jesus was crucified. Good??? The word good is a misnomer. Or is it? Sin is not good. Suffering is not good. What Jesus did for us, what His death accomplished on our behalf—that was good—good because He took on our sins, and then suffered and died in our place, paying the price for our sins so we could be forgiven,reunited and reinvested in God’s eternal plan.



Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, marks the time of Jesus in the tomb, lifeless, in the grip of death. To be honest, little is associated with this day, though it is named through tradition. Perhaps because few know what to do with the obscure verses Peter offers surrounding Jesus' descending into the depths of hell. The medievalists called it the “harrowing of hell” and that is perhaps how we comprehend it. What is certain is that the tomb was a brief interlude to a universal declaration of victory over death and Satan’s grip on humanity.



Then comes Easter Sunday when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus—a day that so altered human history that we are still talking about it and marking it with great fanfare more than 2,000 years later.



His resurrection makes each and every day of human life one potentially filled rich with meaning, significance and spiritual admonishment... if our course you are one who has committed your life to God.



May each day of your Holy Week be filled with reflection, meaning and purpose. This Sunday, may you proclaim the good news of the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflect in your mind and devote your heart to the most exciting news in all human history:

Matthew 28 Jesus Is Risen!
 1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and  came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

HE LIVES for you today! May you and yours experience a renewing and joyous Easter.