'Self-Esteem' and the Church

[Spiritus Naturae]

In many churches today there is a tendency to rely heavily upon the teachings and theories of psychologists, many secular and a few Christian psychologists but both promulgating the same ideas and theories. 'Self-Esteem' is a phrase that we have all more than likely come into contact with in everyday conversation in subjects ranging from politics to matters involving loved ones.

Problem is though, 'self-esteem' seems very much in opposition to how we ought to view ourselves in accordance to God's word. Isn't having 'self-esteem' actually the problem? Thinking and esteeming ourselves highly pushes God away, quenches the Spirit and destroys humility essential to a real and substantial relationship to Christ. It is either self or Christ that we serve. It can never be both.

Any input?

Jonathan
:innocent:

[themuzicman]

I've never heard self-esteem as a goal of any church.

[Cephas]

Nor have I. How can one have much self-esteem if we're all sinners and imperfect?

Then again, the Bible says to "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you are incapable of loving yourself, how can you possibly love others? On the other hand, it condemns "lovers of self". I think that means those who only have love for themselves are in the wrong.

[Ramonda]

In many churches today there is a tendency to rely heavily upon the teachings and theories of psychologists, many secular and a few Christian psychologists but both promulgating the same ideas and theories. 'Self-Esteem' is a phrase that we have all more than likely come into contact with in everyday conversation in subjects ranging from politics to matters involving loved ones.


I see that as very good practice.


Problem is though, 'self-esteem' seems very much in opposition to how we ought to view ourselves in accordance to God's word. Isn't having 'self-esteem' actually the problem? Thinking and esteeming ourselves highly pushes God away, quenches the Spirit and destroys humility essential to a real and substantial relationship to Christ. It is either self or Christ that we serve. It can never be both.


Self esteem can be defined more than a few ways. I only see a possible problem if an individual holds him/herself higher than another. I see it as enhancing the Spirit. Cephas said it well. Loving self is very important in loving others and I see it also as very important in loving God.

[Spiritus Naturae]

I've never heard self-esteem as a goal of any church.

No, not neccessarily a goal, but a substantial part of what people are taught from pulpits. An emphasis on 'just how special you are'. As far as I can see, I'm nothing special, a sinner worthy of death but saved by grace, by the gift of salvation I recieve from Christ. Christ did not die for me or for any of us because we are 'special' or we have some great 'worth' but because of His love for us in spite of our unworthiness. How beautiful that is. Our position and worth is in Christ, not in searching out a positive mental attitude towards and a higher opinion of my own self.
The self-esteem phenomenon is very much a recent (the last 30 years are so) invention. When Christ spoke to sinners he didnt tell them they needed to think more highly of themselves then they do so that they could love others and Him. "If you don't love yourself, how can you love Me or anyone else?" Never read those words or anything similair uttered by Christ. In my understanding He put them into a right understanding of who they were and that at times could be brutal, no ego stroking.


If teachings such as this are not being put forth at your church I'd still like to hear all sides and opinions.

[themuzicman]

The only "special" teaching I hear is that "you're important to God." I think that's biblical.

Unless you mean the "you can make a difference" call to ministry, but that's not self-esteem oriented.

Michael

[Ramonda]

No, not neccessarily a goal, but a substantial part of what people are taught from pulpits. An emphasis on 'just how special you are'. As far as I can see, I'm nothing special, a sinner worthy of death but saved by grace, by the gift of salvation I recieve from Christ. Christ did not die for me or for any of us because we are 'special' or we have some great 'worth' but because of His love for us in spite of our unworthiness. How beautiful that is. Our position and worth is in Christ, not in searching out a positive mental attitude towards and a higher opinion of my own self.
The self-esteem phenomenon is very much a recent (the last 30 years are so) invention. When Christ spoke to sinners he didnt tell them they needed to think more highly of themselves then they do so that they could love others and Him. "If you don't love yourself, how can you love Me or anyone else?" Never read those words or anything similair uttered by Christ. In my understanding He put them into a right understanding of who they were and that at times could be brutal, no ego stroking.



So if Jesus didn't say it in so many words, then it couldn't be good for us? Does anybody here only say to their children or their friends or loved ones, you are sinners only worthy of death?

Jesus IMO did say it when he said that the greatest commandment is to love god, one another and yourself. When I am in a state of loving any of those three, my self esteem is very good. When people are down and we share our love with them, what is the result? They feel better about themselves, their self esteem is raised. When Jesus taught forgiveness, what is the result of that? Is that not saying that though people make mistakes, we are still worthy of love and loving others? Again, self esteem is raised when forgiveness is used.

[TCapp]

I think a balanced view of oneself is good. One could hunger for a meek and humble spirit which makes a completely accurate estimate of themselves - neither inflated nor depressed. Unfortunately, I tend to side on the latter these day, due to depression, and quite frequently trash myself mentally.

A low self-image is just as extreme as pride.

Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. It is an inaccurate overestimation of our accomplishments. Self-esteem, even self-love, is good for us. Pride, an overabundance of self-appreciation is sin. It is a corruption of the essential self-love God expects us to have.

[Spiritus Naturae]

:hrm: Forgot this thread...

My point has been missed it would seem...I am not advocating that we go around flogging ourselves daily, however, we already have 'self-esteem'. It is not something that we need more of. It's already there. Now sometimes an organic problem may come about, that is 'chemical imbalances' causing depression and the like which would need to be treated medically.

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.