The inspired Scriptures warn us about holding too high an opinion of one’s self. Note: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think . . .” (Romans 12:3)
With this warning in mind, a few observations seem appropriate:
- There has been much emphasis in recent years on the need to elevate self-esteem. It is claimed that a variety of personal issues ranging from abusive relationships to weight problems are all linked to low self-esteem. Fix this, and many of the problems will go away, or so we’re told. Yet God’s Word indicates just the opposite – that man’s problems are most often associated with thinking too highly of himself. While admitting that there are some cases of unnatural and destructively low self-esteem, it seems clear that the real danger for most of us is in an already too high opinion of self. In fact, all the warnings of God’s Word are about the danger of high self-esteem, not low self-esteem. Address this problem and many of our other issues will melt away.
- Too high self-esteem is manifested in a compulsive attention to ‘ME’. When we think too highly of self we are constantly worried that MY needs are not being met, MY interests, MY concerns, MY opinions aren’t being attended to like I think they should be, etc. Selfishness is the root of many troubles, and the modern self-esteem movement has amplified this significantly.
- High self-esteem prevents us from developing the humble heart of a servant that God so much desires in us. Our Lord said: “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:26-27).
– by Greg Gwin
