Introduction
In our previous lesson we saw that “Spiritual Growth Is A Choice”
1. Commanded by God (2 Peter 3:18) 2. Requiring diligent effort (Philippians
2:12) 3. Assisted by God (Philippians 2:13) 4. Blessed by God (2 Peter 1:8-11)
Yet many Christians do not reach their potential for spiritual growth…
Introduction
Character development is minimal, abilities likewise underdeveloped.
Years pass by with little progress.
A major reason is poor self-esteem…
This causes Christians to underestimate their potential.
Introduction
Hindering their efforts to grow.
What is self-esteem?
How does it affect our spiritual growth?
Let’s begin by taking a look at…
Introduction
Poor self-esteem is a major hindrance to spiritual growth.
We make excuses for not trying.
We often give up before we make progress.
On the other hand, spiritual growth greatly enhances self-esteem.
As we grow, our achievements encourage us to do more.
As we grow, we gain confidence that we are on the right track.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
Understanding Self-Esteem…
Self-esteem is our internal feelings and evaluation of ourselves based on our
“perceived” self-image.
How we feel about ourselves.
Based on how we view ourselves.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
Self-esteem and self-image are closely related, they are based mostly on feedback
during childhood.
Feedback may come first from others (parents, peers, other important figures).
But then reinforced by our own self-talk (what we tell ourselves).
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
Healthy self-esteem is enhanced by childhood experiences that include:
Being praised.
Being listened to, being spoken to respectfully.
Getting attention and hugs.
Experiencing success in sports or school.
Having trustworthy friends.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
Childhood experiences that lead to low self-esteem include:
Being harshly criticized, yelled at, or beaten.
Being ignored, ridiculed or teased.
Being expected to be “perfect” all the time.
Experiencing failures in sports or school.
People with low self-esteem were often given messages that failed experiences
(losing a game, getting a poor grade, etc.) were failures of their whole self.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
The consequences of poor self-esteem:
Can create anxiety, stress, loneliness and increased likelihood for depression.
Can cause problems with friendships and relationships.
Can seriously impair academic and job performance.
Can lead to underachievement and increased vulnerability to drug and alcohol
abuse.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
These negative consequences themselves reinforce the negative self-image and
can take a person into a downward spiral of lower and lower self-esteem and
increasingly nonproductive or even actively self-destructive behavior.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
The Christian’s Basis For Self-Esteem…
The Christian has two primary reasons for having healthy self-image:
Dignity by virtue of divine generation.
We were created in God’s image _ Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said,
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the
earth. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them”.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
We were created to exercise dominion _ Gen 1:28 And God blessed them: and God
said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue
it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens,
and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God has further demonstrated His high estimation of mankind by His love.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life”.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved
us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
The second reason for having a healthy self-image is:
Dignity by virtue of spiritual regeneration.
Yes, we were sinners, but we have been regenerated; Titus 3:5 “He saved
us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according
to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
We are now loved as His children 1 John 3:1 “See how great a love the
Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such
we are. For this reason the world does not know us because it did not know Him”.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
Christians have other reasons for having self-esteem:
The blessing of continued forgiveness when we sin; 1 John 1:9-2:2
The blessing of God’s family (the church) to help us; Hebrews 3:12-13“Take
care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving
heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after
day, as long as it is still called today, lest any one of you be hardened by
the deceitfulness of sin”.
Hebrews10:25 “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit
of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing
near”.
SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
The blessing of God’s own assurance never to forsake us. Hebrews 13:5-6
“Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with
what you have; for he Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor
will I ever forsake you’, so that we may confidently say, the lord is
my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
There is much that could be added to the fact that God highly esteems His children.
Even though we sin, He wants us to have the proper estimation of ourselves.
But now let’s address more directly the subject of…
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Poor Self-Esteem Hinders Spiritual Growth…
Not believing they are capable of growing, some say:
“I could never do that (teach a class, preach etc.)…”
“I will make too many mistakes…”
Prone to giving up too soon, some tell themselves:
“I just don’t have the ability…”
“I am only a one talent individual…”
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Poor self-esteem on an individual basis can easily carry over to how the group
feels;
“We are too small as a church to do…”
“We are too poor…”
All such excuses are indications of poor self-esteem, and prevent spiritual
growth from occurring!
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Proper Self-Esteem Enhances Spiritual Growth…
Consider the healthy self-esteem the apostle Paul had:
For himself: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens
me”.
For others: Philippines 1:6 “For I am confident of this very thing, that
he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”.
Philippians 2:12-13 “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation
with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and
to work for His good pleasure.”
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
We should have a similar estimation of ourselves.
We can do whatever God wants us to do, because Christ strengthens us!
Instead of making excuses, say “I can do all things through Him who strengthens
me” Philippians 4:13
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Practical Steps For Improving Self-Esteem…
Identify and accept your strengths, weaknesses – everyone has them, no
one is perfect.
Take an “I can” attitude and offer yourself encouragement along
the way.
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Set realistic goals, and then take joy in your achievements (giving God the
glory!)
Don’t try to be someone else – be thankful who you are.
Explore your own talents, learn to love and appreciate the unique person you
are (God loves you, your brethren love you, shouldn’t you?)
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Eliminate negative self-talk; consider the following:
It takes about 20 positive statements about ourselves (the foundation of our
self-esteem) to counteract even just 1 negative personal statement!
It doesn’t take a continual repetition of negative statements from our
parents, peers, and others throughout our childhood to cause low self-esteem.
SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Once we get a couple in our head, we can use them over and over again;
Again and again we take those false negatives and repeat them unconsciously
(completely unaware of what they are doing to us).
It’s like having a constant heckler with you.
We need to have a continuous pep rally in our head.
Conclusion
Rather than let a mistaken estimation of self to hinder our service to God…
Allow God’s estimation of us to enhance our self-image and self-esteem.
Allow God’s estimation of us to encourage the spiritual growth He desires.
When we do, we will feel better about ourselves!
When all is said and done, we realize it is still a choice of what we are going
to do and feel.
By Carey Scott from material by Tom Moore
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