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.
