Biblical Esteem

 

 

It seems that the modern self-esteem philosophy has invaded and pervaded into every aspect of modern living. Some Christian (not necessarily biblical) counselors teach that in order to be healed psychologically, one must love oneself. Their thought is that unless someone loves themselves and has a good self-esteem, they cannot possibly love others. They would go so far as to suggest that the offended one must learn to forgive God. If that weren’t so terrifyingly dangerous, we might write it off as dribble; however, the Bible declares that we must humble ourselves before our Lord. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4.10) 

 

The word which translates “humble” (tapeinoō) means “to bring down, to debase, to make low.” That is diametrically opposed to the self-esteem philosophy. It has never been a part of true biblical teaching to suggest that we are to “exalt” ourselves. Such exaltation reeks of inordinate pride. Does that mean that we should not take pride in our work and in our accomplishments? Absolutely not! Even Paul declares that, while we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (self-esteem based on nothing other than good thoughts) we should think soberly (having a careful understanding of our God-given abilities). “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) 

 

Once a person realizes the tools God has placed at his disposal, he can more effectively serve his Lord and Savior. And, he can bring to greater value those tools as he continues to grow in grace and knowledge. (II Peter 3.18) The sole responsibility of the believer in Christ for salvation is to exalt the name of the One who has saved him – using the talents, gifts and abilities he has in Christ. With the believer, there is nothing about him which he may consider a “natural aptitude” because all that he has is from God. (James 1.17) Just as it is the duty of the Holy Spirit to point people to Christ, so it is the believer’s responsibility to represent God well – not ourselves. (Psalm 100.3) 

 

In this passage, the verb “let … rejoice” is an active, middle deponent, imperative. Not only is this not a suggestion but rather a command, it is also a middle deponent which indicates something that changes someone on the inside. Rejoicing in one’s low degree is something that must come from the heart and cannot be a passing “Praise the Lord” kind of sentiment. This requires a true, internal spirit of rejoicing.

 

While James may be using the term “brother” to refer specifically to his readers – the scattered tribes of Israel – the application applies well to the Christian because a lost individual cannot be commanded to rejoice within. They have nothing within them that deserves their worship and praise. The believer has something outside of himself to which his soul can glory – his Savior. The word “rejoice” translates the Greek word “kauchaomai” meaning to boast, or to brag about something. 

 

The cause for this brother’s rejoicing comes from his “low estate.”Since all people are required to humble themselves before God, he has a good starting place. “Tapeinos”(translated “low estate”) literally means “not to be far above ground” – he is one who is humiliated in circumstances or disposition without the possibility of help. That is how someone must come to the Savior for salvation – humble, and without hope of help from any other source. It is either Jesus or nothing – not Jesus and something. The brother of low degree has nothing to offer and nothing to lose but everything to gain. 

 

The rich man – the one who is rich in this world’s goods (whether financially or by being talented); however, must come to a place in which he finds himself helpless to fix his needy condition. Yea, he must first come to recognize that he has a need. Should he never come to this understanding, he, like Cain, will find that God rejects both their offering and him. In this world he was able to buy or finesse his way through the system; however, there is no system with God. There is simply the Way. All that he is and all that he has will vanish as grass in the summer heat. Yet, God offers him a way in which he can rejoice – the Way to which he must humble himself is the Way that will exalt him. There is no other option.