“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

There is a great emphasis these days, even among Christians, on developing a positive self-image, building up one’s self-esteem, and seeking self-fulfillment. The emphasis is on one’s own self. But God’s word teaches differently.

One famous television pastor has even developed his own unbiblical definition of sin: “Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem.” Then he even presumes to define being born again as being “changed from a negative to a positive self-image.”

Such concepts are diametrically opposed to Scripture, though often cloaked in pseudo-Biblical garb, and they are leading multitudes away from the true gospel and true Christian life. We do not need a positive self-image. In reality, we need a realistic self-image—to see ourselves as God sees us. Paul warned: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

Paul served Christ faithfully for 30 years yet still esteemed himself as “chief of sinners” (I Timothy 1:15), and testified that it was only “by the grace of God I am what I am” (I Corinthians 15:10). Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself” (Luke 9:23). “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence” (I Corinthians 1:27–29). HMM