The Lie of Self Esteem

  

 


"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth himself to take hold of thee for thou has hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities." Isaiah 64:6-7

   Self esteem is pushed by many in our society today. It is especially strong in regards to children. Scholars encourage parents to push their child's self-esteem, let them know just how special they are, and that they must believe in themselves. If you think about it, however, this really goes against what it says in scripture. The Bible teaches that, without God, we are nothing and He is everything; but there is a great joy and rest in this.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (Corinthians 5:17)

   We can attempt to produce a confidence in ourselves, but we will constantly be disappointed. Man will fail us. Sin is rooted deep and no matter how hard we may try to be good, evil will creep up in our lives. So what is our only hope for redemption from ourselves and our flesh? Christ! He, being the only perfect man to walk this earth, has brought us redemption and conquered death. This we can rest in, without fear, no matter what comes our way. We will stumble, but the repentant sinner will always find forgiveness in Christ, and will use these errors to change their lives for the better.

"But now, O Lord, thou art our Father ; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thine hand. be not wroth very sore, O Lord neither remember iniquity forever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people" (Isaiah 64:8-9)

We are nothing, and can do nothing, but with God all things are possible and we can place all our confidence in Him. We will fail. Man will fail. But God will never fail us and his Word shall stand forever.

"Praise the lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people." Luke 1:68