The Danger of Self-Esteem

Self- esteem is something we all think we need more of. Participation trophies are given, we comment, react, and depend on others to do the same on our updated profile pictures. But self-esteem is dangerous. Don't get me wrong, loving who God created you to be is a good thing. It's just when we overinflate the sense of self that we run into trouble. Too much self-esteem can easily give us this idea that we are the center of our own world; we are not. Humility is greater. God's character is greater.

When serving self, we take away the ability to serve others. We must make things less about our success and more about the success of God's will going forth.

I'm not sure about you, but sometimes I try to force my own wants and then try to justify that by saying "God would like for me to do this." But, I never ask to see if that's true. Sometimes I am more concerned with looking like a good person than a person of God.

We say we want to make God's name famous through what we have to say, but really we end up making it about promoting ourselves along the way.

He is already exalted, so allow this to be reflected in the humility of how you serve.

When we start to see who we are in comparison to who God is, it's hard to be arrogant.

I am nothing apart from Christ.

We want empowerment when really we should be resting in God's power.

Self-esteem gives root to the justification of wrongs. If I am constantly concerned with how I look and I'm confident in my own abilities more so than that of Christ, I can quickly be caught in the dangerous thought of "this feels okay so it is okay." Or, thinking that I know what is best for myself. Ultimately, God knows best because He knows me better than I know myself. He sees the beginning and end. What looks and feels right to the world is not what is right in the scripture, most usually.

Jesus was least-liked. He was emptied- beaten and bruised, murdered, disowned.

We are to be Christ-like. So, this might mean we may also have to be least-liked. When we humble ourselves, we allow God to work. When Jesus was about to crucified, the night before, He prayed “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Jesus shows his humanity here, by asking if it would be possible, for this to pass from Him, but ultimately He concludes that God's will is greater, even if that is not as easy as what He would want. This is what we should be doing too- humbling ourselves and asking for God's will, over our own will to be accomplished.

When we are humble, we are able to come to terms with this truth: we are sinners. We will disappoint. We will hurt feelings. We will be selfish. We will fall short. Knowing that we aren't awesome all the time, allows us to be received. It keeps us in remembrance of how we are trapped in flesh bodies. Ultimately, through Christ, we will be made whole because only Christ is perfect. By allowing ourselves to see where we fall short, shows us how magnificent Christ is and how much we need Him.

Satan likes when we are comfortable, or when we seek only what we want or need. When we are worried about looking smart, pretty, successful, popular, and put together, we are only seeking what is comfortable. Growth begins where comfort ends, and we can only truly grow if we are being humble. When we become less obsessed with ourselves and our success, we have more time to look around and see the needs of others and where we can serve best.

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."- James 4:6-10

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."- Colossians 3:12