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"Self-Esteem or Christ Esteem?” Developing a High View of God, a Biblical View of Others, and an Accurate View of Self Marie Notcheva, Biblical Counselor Institute for Nouthetic Studies (INS)

Self-Esteem or Christ Esteem?

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"Self-Esteem or Christ Esteem?”

Developing a High View of God, a Biblical View of Others, and an Accurate View of Self

Marie Notcheva, Biblical Counselor Institute for Nouthetic Studies (INS)

Three Basic Questions:Who is God?

Who am I?

Who are other people?

What does God’s Word teach?

Who is God? I. The MAJESTY of God

Psalm 93; 104"The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty...

Thy throne is established from of old...“II. The SOVEREIGN GodDefinition: Sovereignty means that God, as

the ruler of the Universe, has the right to do whatever he wants. Further, he is in complete control over everything that happens. (Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Romans 9:20)

Who is God?III. The OMNIPOTENT (all-powerful) and

OMNISCIENT (all-knowing) God“Omnipotent” = unlimited authority. “And I

heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Rev. 19:6; KJV)

“Omniscient” = “…His understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:5) and “He knows everything” (1 John 3:20

“The Christian’s instincts of trust and worship are stimulated very powerfully by knowledge of the greatness of God. But this is knowledge which Christians today largely lack: and that is one reason why our faith is so feeble and our worship so flabby. We are modern people, and modern people, when they cherish great thoughts of themselves, have as a rule small thoughts of God. When the person in the church, let alone the person on the street, uses the word God, the thought is rarely of divine majesty.”

- J. I. Packer, “Knowing God”

Who is God?IV. The UNCHANGING GodGod’s character, purposes, and Truth do not

change. (Psalm 93:2; 102:26-27; James 1:17; 1 Samuel 15:29; Isaiah 40:6-8).

God’s SON does not change – Hebrews 13:8

This should bring great comfort to the Christian! God is not unpredictable like some human fathers.

Who is God?V. The LOVING God1. God IS love – “The one who does not love does not

know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8). 2. We are to be imitators of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1) – the most

important, central, crucial way we imitate Christ is by LOVING other PEOPLE. (John 13:35; 1 Thess. 1:9)

3. God LOVES unbelievers (Mark 10:21; Luke 19) although they do not enjoy the benefits of fellowship with Him

4. Love primarily not a feeling, but a commitment to the other’s best.

5. The PERSONAL God – relates to each on a personal level (Mary and Martha; Nicodemus – John 3)

Who am I?I am a woman created by God in His image.

My responsibility as God’s creation is to glorify Him and serve Him as He desires.

Even fallen man bears “image” of God; bears God-like qualities such as love, kindness, beauty.

Believers represent Christ (Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:49)

Who am I?How do I seek approval from

others?

What is my true identity?

How does my position in Christ affect my “self-esteem”?

Who You Are in Christ:

- A Daughter of the King (Eph. 1:5)

- A forgiven sinner (Luke 7:48)

- Beautiful; precious to God (1 Pet. 3:4)

- Accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6)

- God’s work of art (Eph. 2:10) AND a work in progress (Phil. 1:6)

- Loved everlastingly (Jer. 31:3)

My Position in Christ1 John 2:5; 2:28; 3:24; 2:28; 5:20; etc.John is not talking about viewing our position in

Christ as a way to meet our emotional needs. “In Christ” = our justified position

Carries with it the implication of obedience and being conformed to the character of Christ - not seeking to find “meaning” or personal fulfillment.

If we truly are “in Him”, we will walk in the light (1 John 1:7), overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14, 4:4), and have fellowship with God and our fellow believers (1 John 1:3-7).

Who are Others?Do the opinions of others control my thoughts

or behavior?

Do I fear disapproval or crave approval of others?

Do I seek ways to use other people to get my “needs” met?

Who are Others?Fellow image-bearers of God

Whom we are FREED to love without thought of reciprocation

When we stop viewing other people as “bigger” than God, we are freed to LOVE and SERVE them – as Christ did!

God’s way out of the “slavery” of being controlled by other people’s opinions is to know Him, as He is revealed in Jesus, in such a way that other people will seem less awesome in comparison.

Being overwhelmed with Christ’s beauty breaks the “slavery” of being controlled by others.

Does God Promote “Self-Esteem”?God…..Condemns self-love

2 Timothy 3:2Isaiah 48:11Romans 1:22Psalm 8, “What is man?”

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

The Fruit of Esteeming Self

The Heart that Esteems Self…

The Heart that Esteems Christ

In Conclusion…We are far more loved than we can imagine. Although we do not deserve it, Christ’s death

and resurrection on our behalf secures our true position in Him, and seals our “identity” – as daughters of the King.

This should give us far greater joy and meaning than finding value/self-esteem in the temporary things of this world!

Rest in Him and trust in His love.

About me..

Read my articles at The Biblical Counseling Coalition: http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/blogs/author/marienotcheva/ or visit my blog at: http://redeemedfromthepit.blogspot.com/