Self Esteem For Christians

In Christianity there seems to be a lot of confusion over the issue of self esteem. In deed to read a lot of the stuff circulating on the web you are almost made to feel guilty if you want to improve your low self esteem. Let's not confuse the issue of self esteem with humility. Feeling unworthy, guilty or inadequate has nothing to do with humilty. Jesus knew exactly who he was and what power was available to him yet he still was humble.

Paul said in Romans 12:3 that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. However do you honestly think he would want us to think more lowly of ourselves than we ought as well?

The Bible has plenty of warnings about not being full of ourselves. Those who love to be seen of men, those who love to make a show in public with grand religious garments, loving the upper seats, those who would rather stand on the street corner praying than in the privacy of their closet, those who are self righteous, proud and so on. Jesus said verily they have their reward. So having self esteem has nothing to do with that rubbish.

The problem with most people who suffer from low self esteem is that they think they are far inferior than other people. I am here to tell you today that is definately not the case. The problem is with your own thinking and this can be changed by the renewing of your mind.

Here is what the Bible says about all of us before we come to Christ.

Romans 3:23 says ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Isaiah 64:6 we are ALL unclean and ALL our righteousness is as filthy rags.

Now check out Romans 3:19
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

EVERYONE has sinned, everyone has come short of the glory of God, everyone has been unclean, the best anyone could ever be as far as righteousness is concerned is as a filthy rag. Really – the righteousness of the nicest, goodest person outside of Christ looks like a filthy rag in the sight of God. Every mouth is stopped when it comes to righteousness outside of Christ and the whole world – yes – everyone, are guilty before God.

Think about what I'm saying here…

If you are not thinking of yourself more highly than you should you have done well. But why do you think you're lesser than anyone else when everyone without exception are no better than you?

The Christian should have more self esteem than anyone because now your life is hid in Christ. Now you have been washed, cleansed, entered the glory of God, been made righteous, absolved of guilt and become a new creature.

Get the balance right. Just as you don't want to think of yourself more highly than you should because it is Christ Jesus that gives you the victory not you then also stop thinking less of yourself then you should because it is Christ Jesus that gives you the victory not you.

Why should you be suffering from self esteem when you are in Christ?

If in Christ you are in the body of Christ and have his strength, his love, his faith, share in his work, share in his reward, share in his inheritance, have eternal life, and the list can go on and on. More so the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we have the mind of Christ. Therefore stop leaning to your understanding as it says in in Proverbs 3:5 because your own understanding full of negative self doubt and low self esteem is wrong. Put on the mind of Christ and be humble but with the power of Jesus Christ in your life there is no reason for you to suffer from low self esteem.

Finally in Philippians 2:6-7 it says:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

Where is low self esteem in those verses? Let this mind be in you – ALLOW IT – know who you are in Christ. The next few verses go onto explain how Jesus humbled himself and made himself of no reputation. That is way different from suffering from low self esteem. Dear Christian we are to be humble but please don't mistake humility with low self esteem.