In our day and age we hear of the importance of having self-esteem. What is self-esteem? This word comes with two different and contrasting meanings:
        -self-respect: proper respect for oneself, and
        regard for one's own qualities or abilities.
        -self-conceit: exaggerated opinion of one's
        own qualities or abilities and inflated value of
        one's self.

Thus, one can see, self-esteem is either self-respect or self-conceit. One aspect of self-esteem is good while the other is bad and wrong.

In the Bible, the word esteem is defined in the parameters of how the individual esteems the Lord, other people and the things of the world.

First of all, let us consider some passages where the word esteem is found in the Bible. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right...” (Psalm 119:128). This passage speaks of the value one places on the word of God, and in turn God Himself. In Philipplans 2:3 we read of the respect we are to have for others, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” If all would practice such esteem, the world would be a more peaceful place.

Unfortunately, not all will hold to God's instruction concerning esteem for others. In contrast, people will place value on the things of the world. “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). From these few verses, we find a variety of things in which people may esteem, from the Lord to the things of this world. The word esteem is used to show the value placed on the object being respected.

Secondly, self-esteem involves, by definition, a balanced love for self. Leviticus 9:18 says, “...but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” If we do not love ourselves, we can not love others. Jesus repeats this commandment in Matthew 22:39, “... Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Again, if you have a low value of self, you cannot be of value in showing love to others and fulfilling what Christ commands. Paul tells the church at Rome that “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). In Romans 14:12 he writes, “...every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” The new nature, or spiritual self, is the best self

we have and should be most loved. Our salvation depends upon the proper love and care of self, because there is a day appointed when we will give an account of ourselves before God.

Others feel that if God allowed and authorized instrumental music under the Old Law, He will allow it today. For those who doubt authority for the instrument under the Old Law, note 2 Chronicles 29:25, “And he set the Levites in the house of Jehovah with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of Jehovah by his prophets.”

When we study the marriage relationship, we find that husbands are to love their wives as they love themselves (Ephesians 5:28-29). This passage underscores the importance of having the proper self-esteem. A husband with low self-esteem will show little love to his wife and vice versa. God expects us to love our souls, as He has commanded. In doing so, we in turn can love others. Without this proper and balanced love for self, we cannot be saved. To be saved means to think of self and the salvation of our own soul in the value of what God thinks. If Christ died for our soul, we ought to think enough of self to obey the Lord. Hence, self love includes self-esteem.

Donald Underwood
San Diego, Ca.