(Note: E.G. White uses the term self-confidence to denote having confidence in one’s own abilities rather than God’s, and in many many quotes considers this to be one of the worst sins. That use of the term in this paper is not implied.)
People would deny they have any problems with self-worth or self-confidence, in most cases. The Bible approach seems to assume that people think far more of themselves than they should. Its’ theme is to look away from self to Jesus. It is too often true that people worship at the altar of themselves instead of God- saying “Thy will be done” but thinking and living “My will be done.” (2T 301).
A spirit of self-importance, of independence from God leads to rejecting Jesus as “the Way the Truth and the Life” to wander aimlessly and blindly alone in the rejection of truth and separating ourselves from the Life Giver. We get so enamored with our self-importance that we prefer to stand independent in our “filthy rags,” rejecting the “Eye salve” from the Holy Spirit which opens our eyes to our true spiritual condition and our need for the “white robe” of righteousness that comes only through a relationship with Christ. If we would only stand face-to-face with the person and presence of Christ Himself, how all this would fall away!
Maslow’s Heiarchy of Needs demonstrates that people have a need to be accepted and loved and appreciated. These are universal needs of all men. These needs form much of the basis of our feelings of self-worth. We need these so much that we will go to great lengths to have them, often to our detriment. God Himself, the source of all love (1 John 4:7), gives us perfect and everlasting love (Heb. 13:5) and He accepts us totally and He appreciates us so much He wants to spend eternity with us (John 3:16). Even with the children of
We do need to have self-confidence and a feeling of self-worth (in the finest sense of the words) to accomplish our missions in life, or we would shrink from them feeling we had nothing to offer. God gives us the confidence to do his will. Leaders, ministers, teachers, medical professionals, mothers and fathers all need this to function in their respective functions*. We also need to encourage it in others (2T 298). But a feeling of self-sufficiency and self importance have no place in the Christian life.
We have a God-given responsibility to our fellow men and women to make them feel loved and appreciated and valued and to have the confidence they need to live this life. Maybe those we meet who have a poor sense of self worth shows we are not doing our job. “God has no hands but our hands to do His work today.”
Every person on earth is given abilities and gifts (1 Cor. 12:7,; 7:7). Every life has meaning and purpose. We find happiness and fulfillment in using these gifts for God. We have worth.
We are the “temple of the Holy Spirit.” We are “set apart for a holy purpose.” We are His “treasured people.” (Deut. 26:18). We are “Gods own people.” (1 Pet. 2:9). We are important enough to God that Christ died for us and would have died if there was just one of us (RH May 3, 1892, John 15:12; 3:16). “God has valued man at an immense value.” (RH Oct 7, 1890) We are claimed by Him as His sons and daughters, His children. (John 3:2, UL 36). He is so concerned with us that “the very hairs of your head are numbered.” (Matt. 10:30). He values us so much that he has mansions and crowns waiting for us in the New Jerusalem. (TDG 313).
We are important. Without God, we are nothing and have no purpose and no strength. The consequences of standing alone in our independence from God on the battlefield of life, with the hordes of sin and temptation and pain and distraction from the Christian life and the myriad problems “without number” bearing down on us “terrible as an army with banners” are terrible and overcoming.
We were never meant to face life alone, in our own strength. The Holy Spirit, our Parakletos –“the One who stands beside”- was always meant to be there with us. We are special and appreciated and important, but seeking to be and to attain these without God is hollow and self-destructive.
Be a Paul the evangelist, be a Moses the leader, Be a David the king, be an Elijah the prophet, Be a Deborah the judge, and go forth with the confidence that God gives you just as He did them. Know that you are important to God and that all heaven is behind you.
*Leadership: To be a leader one must have Christian self-confidence. People will not follow a leader who does not show self confidence.
“Self confidence is the fundamental basis from which leadership grows..At the end of the day, leadership is about having the confidence to make decisions…Not only does confidence allow you to make the tough decisions that people expect from a strong leader but it’s reassuring to your employees…People don’t listen to those who are unsure of themselves.” (article Without Confidence, there is No Leadership by Francisco Dao Mar. 1, 2008 INC. The Daily Resource for Entrepeneurs.)
“Self-confidence + Humility = Kingdom advancement…Self confidence is absolutely necessary for you to succeed in your ministry…Our confidence does not come from ability, skill level or experience, it comes from Jesus Himself…Eph. 2:10 says ‘We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.’…I am God’s masterpiece and He created me for a purpose. This is the source of our confidence. “ (Today’s Children Ministries.com 3/7/2008 by Christianity Today International.)
“Confidence is that bridge connecting expectation and performance…Confidence is knowledge of one’s own strengths as well as one’s own limitations.” (Article A Matter of Confidence from Directory M.com articles)
“A delicate balance of self-confidence and humility defines true leaders.” (Harry Jansen Kraemer Jr. Adjunct professor, Kellogg School of Management.)
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