The importance of self esteem is taught clearly in the Bible. An unfruitful life can result from low self esteem. A poor self image makes a poor servant of God.

Having a Proper Regard for Yourself

One should "not think of himself wore highly than he ought to think", but a right regard and a sound judgment of oneself should be held in one's heart.

Low self esteem is not humility. Pride, the opposite of humility, is thinking more highly of yourself than you should (Rom 12:3). But humility is not thinking less highly of yourself than you should. If you think less of yourself than you should, it is manifest that your self image is false. When God says, "clothe yourself with humility" (1Pe 5:5), surely he doesn't want you to wrap yourself in a false self image!

The Poor Self Image of Moses

Moses did not have a proper regard himself. Moses thought too little of himself, simply because he didn't listen to God. God had told Moses, "I am. sending you to bring my people out of Egypt" That word of God to Moses, showed God's high regard for Moses. That word was the true standard by which Moses ought to have measured himself.

The low regard which Moses held for himself, almost stopped him serving God as Israel's leader. 'Who am I, that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?", he complained. "What if they will not listen to me? I have never been a man of words; I am slow of speech" (Exo 3:1-11 4:1-17).

God was angry with Moses because of this. Moses should have shown as much faith in himself as God had shown in him,

Measure Yourself With God’s Measuring Rod

We regard ourselves correctly, when we do so "according to the measure that God's measuring rod has allotted to us" (2Co 10:13).

Using the wrong measuring rod for self-assessment, will give you a false regard for yourself. If, for example, you measure yourself by comparing yourself to other people, you are using the wrong measure. "Measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, they are not wise" (2Co 10:12).

What then is the correct measure of self esteem? How can you avoid thinking too much or too little of yourself? How can you have a true self image? You have to use the right standard, namely "the measure of faith God has given you" (Rom 12:3).

Okay, but what is meant by "measure of faith"? Faith is the product of God' s word (Rom 10:17). The measure of faith is what God's word says about you. Take your true measure. Listen to what God thinks of you, and throw out the faulty measures of this world. You should have as much faith in yourself as God has shown in you.

The True Opinion of Yourself

Why don't we list some of the honours God has bestowed, or is willing to bestow, on you...

S E L F    I M A G E 

1. Most of us have two faces or images.

        (1) The image we try to present
            to others

        (2) A secret image or private picture
            of ourselves

   God wants us to have one self image,
      without pretenses and doubts.

         a. Not "a failure"  
              (Php 2:12-16  1Tim 1:12-16)
         b. Not focussed on body shape 
              (2Co 5:1-10  1Co 6:15-20)   
         c. Not feeling pushed aside 
              or left behind (Eph 1:3-19)

2. Most of us discourage others more than 
      we lift them up.

        (1) Because of our own poor 
            self image and pretenses

        (2) Because we are concerned about 
            ourselves more than others

   God wants us to build up and encourage 
      those around us

         a. Not with a pretense at love 
             or justice (Rom 12:9-21)
         b. Kind and uplifting when speaking 
             to others (Eph 4:29-32)
         c. Putting others before ourselves 
             (Php 2:1-5)
  
             J for Jesus + O for Others 
               + Y for Yourself = JOY

   We should see ourselves as God sees us, 
      and treat others as God does.