Self Esteem

Pastor Larry, clearly you refuse to acknowlege the biblical verses that tell us that we have value an are worth something to God. These verses have been listed here, no needs for me to repeat them. To espouse the notion that we are worthless in the eyes of God goes against biblical teaching.

 

Amen JohnV. I've read the Bible and have seen this to be true.

 

I am a child of God and I am very important in the eyes of God. I think we need to think highly of ourselves to do God's Work. But you say, we must be humble. Yes, that is true but it doesn't make us second class citizens.

We are made in God's Image. We are to show His love. How can we do that if we do not have a sense of confidence. Confidence, perhaps is what we should say we have, if self-esteem brings to mind a bad connotation.

Confidence in ourselves or thinkly highly of ourselves does not mean that we have a holier than thou attitude.

Confidence means we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

 

You clearly don't know what I am talking about if you believe that. I have denied no verse that says we are worth something to God. I don't even remember anyone citing those verses here. Are you disagreeing with the Scripture I have cited??

I have asked you several times to give us a place where Scripture tells us to deal with a problem by increasing self-esteem. Why don't you present such a place where Scripture suggests what you suggest?

 

Confidence that we can do all things through Christ is not confidence in ourselves, but confidence in Christ.

Philippians 3:1-11 really ought to put this matter to rest.

 

Good point, Siegfried, but we will have confidence in ourselves if we have confidence in Christ. He is guiding us.

 

This may be off the subject a bit, but I see or perceive that there are people on this board who may be stuggling with self-worth. What do you tell them in order for them to feel better about themselves?

 

You clearly don't know what I am talking about if you believe that. I have denied no verse that says we are worth something to God. I don't even remember anyone citing those verses here. Are you disagreeing with the Scripture I have cited??
I disagree only in regards to the issue of recognizing one's self worth. The verses you cite simply tell me that the absence of God in one's life results in complete absence of self worth.

I have asked you several times to give us a place where Scripture tells us to deal with a problem by increasing self-esteem. Why don't you present such a place where Scripture suggests what you suggest?
The verses have been citred here prior by me and others. Do you want them again?

 

It seems to me that everyone posting here and attempting to state their views so strongly has a pretty decent opinion of their ability to do so... no one here is lacking in that sort of self-esteem, anyway!

 

Not at all, Helen. I'm just confident that if I repeat what the Bible says about the subject, God will do the work to convince people of his truth.

 

And that biblical truth is that God wants us to have self worth. God don't make no junk!

Remember, WE can do ALL THINGS through Christ to strengthens US.

 

I have asked several times for Scriptures that say that we deal with problems by increasing our self-esteem. I asked Helen first; she has no answer. I have asked others, you included. So far, not one of you has offered any support for "feeling better about yourself" or "Increasing your self-esteem" as a biblical solution to problems. I would love to see you present a verse where God says to deal with problems in this matter.

If someone on this board is struggling with self-esteem, I would tell them to immerse themselves in the word and start writing a biography of God. Tell us what God is like and then start pouring God's love into others. Get your mind off yourself.

 

But "without me, ye can do NOTHING [emphasis added to draw attention to the truth]."

I trust the juxtaposition of those two passages clarifies the source of strength and our worth apart from Christ.

As Pastor Larry has repeatedly pointed out, nowhere does Scripture tell us to value ourselves more to solve our problems. If repeating that truth forever is what it takes to get people to understand that, I will continue to do so.

 

This just backs up my earlier point:
Absence of God = no self esteem, negative self worth.
Presence of God = Godly self esteem, positive self worth.

 

So far, not one of you has offered any support for "feeling better about yourself" or "Increasing your self-esteem" as a biblical solution to problems.

At the risk of repeating myself, I think non-boastful self-esteem, sense of value, and self-worth is not only called for, but biblically appropriate.

Genesis referrs to us as "very good" in God's creation, and that we are created in the "image and likeness" of God.

Jesus tells us to love our neighbors "as ourselves".

Psalms tell us that we were made "a little lower than the angels", and "crowned with glory and honor".

Jesus tells to look at the birds of the air, which don't work, and don't reap or sow. Yes God provides for them. Then Jesus asks, are we not more important than they?

We're further told that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Is not the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit a place of worth?

Sigfried said, if we adjust our view of God, the view of ourselves will correct itself. He's right. A proper view of God results in Godly self esteem and self worth.

 

Good post JohnV.

 

Kate B: " Self esteem is not
thinking more highly
of yourself than you should."

Amen, Sister Kate B -- Preach it.

God's written word says:

Romans 12:3 (nKJV):
For I say, through the grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think;
but to think soberly, according
as God hath dealt to every man
the measure of faith.

So then, there is a level of thinking
of ourselves which is proper.
Those whose level of thinking of themselves
is not up to proper level have
low self-esteem.

Ruthigirl: " ... I can hold my
head high, and truly enjoy
life because I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Amen, Sister Ruthigirl -- Preach it!
In one fell swoop ;you defined the term
"self=esteem" and delineated the true
soure of self-esteem.

Pastor Larry: "God has said that he
will not place on you any
more than you can handle."

Actually that is not what God said.
Here is what God said:

1 Corinthians 10:13 (nKJV):

No temptation has overtaken you except
such as is common to man; but God
is faithful, who will not allow you
to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will also make
the way of escape, that you may
be able to bear it.

It appears that you left out "temptation".

 

JohnV,

You're not interacting with the point that is being made. No one is saying that we do not have worth.

The point is that drawing attention to that worth (i.e. esteeming ourselves) is not a biblical solution to problems. None of those texts have anything to do with solving spiritual problems.

 

No I didn't. That was the context of my comments, regarding the temptation (as I believe it was put exactly "the impossibility" to fulfill the command to love her children.") My comments were made in the context of temptation, which is what we are talking about.

John,

Siegfried pointed out that you failed to answer my challenge. All the verses you put are ones that I agree with and that fit exactly into what I am saying. My challenge again, is for you to show a place where Scripture says that the answer to problems is self-esteem. So far everyone here arguing your position is not providing Scriptural support for it.