The Problem With Self Esteem

For decades the self-help books, seminars, sermons, Bible studies, and message has identified the problem in our lives as “low self esteem.” Everything was blamed on “low self esteem.” To correct this problem there has been an emphasis upon developing a better self esteem by various methods.

Developing better self esteem is popular in just about any context; in family, in sports, in business, in education, and especially in religion. The problem with developing a higher (higher = better) self esteem is that once you develop a higher self esteem you end up with a greater problem than when you had low self esteem; higher = greater, and with self esteem “greater” = a bigger problem. Anyway you look at it, self esteem whether it is low or high, is your problem.

In religious circles this becomes very deceptive. In religion, self esteem is preached and taught under the heading of self-development; how to become a better….whatever; a better person, a better partner, a better entrepreneur, a better pray-er, a better pew-sitter (church member), a better part of society (participating more in compassionate causes). The message goes on and on and ends up with “as you learn and develop into the kind of person God wants you to be, you will feel better about yourself and about everything around you.” The end of the message reveals the problem; “…everything around YOU,” which is also why it is so popular.

The Bible teaches that self esteem must be lowered down to the lowest level; into the grave! Trying to improve (develop) self esteem will only create a bigger monster (good flesh, nice flesh, educated flesh…is still flesh! Of the worst kind). But once the death sentence for self esteem is carried out (crucified with Christ and buried, Romans 6:3-11), Someone else can become the focus, The Lord Jesus Christ! Then every circumstance, every experience, everything that happens is about Him, not you. When trouble strikes, you won’t ask, “God, what did I do, what are You trying to teach me…” Instead you will simply say, “God, this is not about me, this is about YOU, because everything in my life is about YOU and knowing YOU more; do what You do best, BE GLORIFIED, GOD!!! HALLELUJAH!”

Once you stop worrying about your “self-development” and start seeking, pursuing, desiring, digging, thirsting and hungering for and after God, He will begin forming Christ in you. You won’t even know how that development is coming along because you will only be focused on knowing Him. Then and only then will all of your esteem be of Him, by Him, to Him, and for Him. Hallelujah.