The bible does not tell us we need to worry about self esteem... We are not to focus on ourselves and our feelings, but on how to serve the Lord. Satan focuses on making man a god, making man focus more on himself.. Why does the average Christian subscribe to the self esteem bologna?
2006-07-27 15:42:42 · 18 answers · asked by indiebaptist 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Self-esteem dogma of modern society is an attempt to undermine God. As Christians, we should not need 'self-help' groups and the like...we are children of God-created in His image, his beloved, he gave everything for us, he loves those who hate him...being loved by God is what gives us worth...that, and nothing else, whether you are a believer or not.
But, there has been a lot of research on self-esteem and the impact it has one's life and I think as Christians, we should work to not only build our own self-esteem but help to build that of others. I do not think there is anything wrong with calling on others for support.
But I totally get what you are saying...this whole self-help, self-esteem mumbo jumbo is just man's way of trying to tell God that we don't need him. As Christians, we have to be very careful with what we prescribe to. We could inadvertantly be promoting ideals contrary to the Bible.
2006-07-27 15:51:04 · answer #1 · answered by redfernkitty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you really presume a lot in this question. I will try to help, I'm from the government.
The average Christian does not subscribe to the "self-esteem bologna", if so they would not be giving billions of dollars to churches to interpret a Bible that is supposed to be literal. The average Christian has no self-esteem; they grovel and snivel about their going to die as though it wasn't part of God's plan. They have faith instead of self-esteem.
As for Satan focusing on making man a god, he probably uses the one monotheistic God as a role model instead of the really weird trinitarian muddle. If Christians spent as much time trying to be more like God and less like Pat Robertson the world would be a lot better place and they would have a lot more self-esteem.
2006-07-27 15:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by valcus43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, It doesn't? wow. are we reading the same Bible?
Psalm 1:1-3 Ref.
Christian men willing to answer the Lord’s call to live godly lives in an unrighteous world. A man with this mindset will understand the importance of:
Ordering his life with Christian counsel. A God-fearing man is not too self-sufficient or proud to ask for help. He seeks biblical counsel regularly so that he can succeed according to God’s principles. He is open to advice based on scriptural truths, whether for his home life, personal finances, or business matters. Many of us, however, are prone to seek opinions from those who appear successful, even if they do not share our faith. How wise can ungodly men be when they have chosen to live without God? How smart are we when we seek their advice?
Limiting his deepest friendships to fellow believers. Only the like-minded — those who love Jesus and desire to follow Him — are suitable to be intimate friends of a believer. Remember, our companions can influence us positively or negatively. Those who reject Jesus will never guide us toward Him. Those who are casual in their faith can influence us away from God’s standards. While the Lord expects us to relate to all sorts of people, it is wise to restrict our “inner circle” to Christ-followers.
Being committed to defending the truth. Concerned with the things of the Lord and His church, a godly man will TAKE A STAND against the profane use of Jesus’ name. No only will he speak the truth about unrighteous patterns of behavior and their destructiveness; he will also oppose ridicule of the Bible or other Christians. Ref. Psalms 1;3 Jer 17:8 14:1 12: 1-2
2006-07-27 16:08:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self esteem has a place in the secular world. Accepting that you are as important, as worthy, as good as others is fine. The problem comes in when you related this to God. When it comes to God we are all screw-ups. Left to ourselves sooner or later we fall short of the ethical mark. After sin simply means falling short of a desire target.
2006-07-27 15:52:18 · answer #4 · answered by alcavy609 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree and disagree with you. Yeah we aren't supposed to focus totally on us, but we have to have the right mind set and self esteem to serve him, because face it you have to have a high self esteem to stand up to ridicule for your beliefs. Wimps don't survive.
2006-07-27 15:48:54 · answer #5 · answered by joyell222 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
self esteem is different from self worship and arrogance. If you dont have self esteem how then will you feel cofident enough to talk to some about Christ or do anything for God, you wont feel good enough?
2006-07-27 15:48:35 · answer #6 · answered by justwondering 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kind of hard to love others as we love yourselve if we don't have some kind of love and esteem for ourselves. But it needs to be based on who and what we are IN CHRIST. Since we have value and worth to Him, we must have some worth to ourselves. And we work with Him to find that worth in His plan.
2006-07-27 15:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, remember the Bible says in Psalms "I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." People need to be careful not to get a big ego, but joking around is something else.
2006-07-27 15:45:58 · answer #8 · answered by Mommymonster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Following Christ has freed me from the sentiments you describe... i can't quite clarify why, different than that He valued me sufficient to die for me, so i be attentive to what i'm quite worth to Him. Now as for something, as quickly as I sin, that's my fault for no longer obeying and yielding to His spirit. even with the undeniable fact that, as quickly as I do some thing good, i do no longer think of its incorrect to be comfortable with it. No, i'm no longer meant to be smug or think of that it makes me extra proper than anybody else, and definite i'm meant to correctly known that devoid of God i could no longer have completed it (even with each and everything, if God hadn't created me, i ought to do no longer something), yet that would not advise i can't experience good approximately obeying Him and making use of the presents He has given me for His applications. you may try examining a number of John Piper's writings. He quite has some good perception on multiple issues. 2 excellent books via him are, "do no longer Waste Your existence", and "needing God". do no longer enable the term "Christian hedonist" scare you, his books are very Biblicaly sound. :o)
2016-11-03 04:05:51 · answer #9 · answered by sokin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said it! Self esteem is crap!
In Luke 14:26, Jesus said, "If any man come to me and hate not his father, his mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
The only way to live is to hate your own life! Amen!
2006-07-27 15:56:14 · answer #10 · answered by Hate Boy! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋