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How should a Christian view self-esteem?



    
    

Clarify Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

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Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries
Many define self-esteem as "feelings of worth based on their skills, accomplishments, status, financial resources, or appearance." This kind of self-esteem can lead a person to feel independent and...

July 01 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Data Pastor Jesus Ramos Jr Supporter Prophet, Pastor and Missionay
I personally do much teaching on this topic here in Africa where the majority of the people have low self esteem which in part derives from a mindset of poverty. I do a series of teachings called "Unlock your Mind" which is geared towards helping people to see themselves as God sees them. Basically, the way that we view ourselves has much to do with how we relate to the image of God. Generally, a lot of people aren't happy with the way that they were created to be so they do what they can to alter the God image into their own perception of a warped and twisted image that they fabricate in their own minds. To a lot of people image is everything and what they portray to others becomes their focal point because what others thibk of them becomes more important than how they feel about themselves. 

This all began in the Garden of Eden; Adam was the son of God (Luke 3:38) but Eve was merely the flesh and bones of Adam. The serpent targeted Eve because her self worth was a direct result of her connection to Adam. The serpent implanted the suggestion that God had somehow deprived her and Adam of being more than they already were. The problem with that logic was that it was flawed. The desire to become like God was Lucifer's initial desire which resulted in his expulsion from the heavenly realms.

Adam and Eve were already like God because the words image and likeness relate to a resemblance and not to a spiritual condition. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49) when we become the children of God we take on the semblance of God and the Holy Spirit forms us and molds us into the image of Christ. When we fail to comprehend this we will always attempt to reflect a false image of God the we ourselves create.

I know this because for many years I projected an image of myself that was not me. I was so full of anger and hatred that what I reflected was an image of toughness which was just a cover up for all of the fear that was within me. People didn't like the me that I projected; they feared me. When I decided that I was just going to be myself without the masks, my self worth improved greatly. I was not going to live to be what I thought people wanted to see in me; I was going to live to be myself, without restrictions and learn to live up to my potential. Then when I came to Christ I found that I can be myself while doing my best to please God. No need for me to embellish or adorn the outer man. I only need for the Holy Spirit to work on the inner man and what's on the inside will show on the outside! My esteem comes from the knowledge of who I am but moreso from who I am in, with and through Christ!

June 12 2016 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Lawrence wong Supporter Disciple of iEsou ("Yeh-sou") christou
The question of self-esteem involves two elements: “self” and “esteem.” The way we look at self -esteem shapes our response to Christ.

SELF – 2 examples Christ and John the Baptist. 
The New Covenant is concerned about the annihilation of self, the great big “I”, the selfish “I”, the self-centred “I”. iEsou christou (Mt 1:1 Greek) is the primary example. Even though He created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, including Man, as ALYM’S Son, He humbled himself to become fully Man (born of Mary) and fully ALYM (fully Spirit) and offered Himself as The Lamb sacrifice to break Satan’s vice-like curse of death as Adam’s original sin affects all of his descendants, Mankind, and to remit, our many sins when we repent and confess our sins to Him so that His blood shed around 30-31 C.E. can wash them clean (1 Jo 1:9). 

All of iEsou’s Apostles and disciples cared not one iota for the great big “I”. Paul speaks for all disciples with these words “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives I me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of ALYM who loved [agaped] me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:20) John the Baptist echoed these thoughts when he learned that all were going to iEsou for baptism “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jo 3:30) 

ESTEEM - “ALYM resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Jas 4:6)
I agree with Michael that esteem is dependent upon who we think we are in Christ. More importantly, this is in line with what the Holy Spirit says through Paul: “Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ iEsou, who being in the form of ALYM did not consider it robbery (something to be held on to) to be equal to ALYM but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant [slave] and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, ALYM also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of iEsou every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that iEsou christou is Lord to the glory of ALYM the Father.” 

We should be ever mindful of Christ’s supreme example for us. 

Therefore, let us replace “self-esteem” with the words “Christ-esteem.” 

With the exception of John who live to a ripe old age, the apostles and disciples of Christ cared not for their lives in this world but fixed their eyes, their minds, hearts and souls on the glory of the cross and the crown of life in heaven. 

They yearned to hear the words 
“Well done good and faith servant [slave]; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Mt 25:23) 
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his ALYM ad he shall be My son.” (Rev 21:7) 
“Blessed are those who do His [Christ’s] commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city (New Yerushalayim).” (Rev 22:14) “And the Spirit and the Bride say, ’Come!’ ” (Rev 22: 17a) 

Lawrence NZ

August 21 2017 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Salem Markus Purba Supporter
When our physical needs, primary and secondary needs have been satisfied, new needs emerge, psychological needs : self esteem, a confidence and satisfaction in ourselves, self respect, or self conceit.

Regarding all of those needs, Jesus told us that the pagans run after all of those things and we are told to seek the kingdom of God first and God will give us what we really need and good for us in the sight of God. (Matthew 6: 25-34).

So, for the believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we do not need such a thing as self esteem, but to praise our Father in heaven with all of our heart; as David did. (Psalm 138: 1-8).

August 02 2015 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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