Women and Self-Esteem (Part #4b)

The Bible's Solution
... or maybe that is really The Bible's Promise

I ended last time with
The devastating impact of sin
The rejection of God by the first man and woman, created in God's image, has devastating consequences for them and us Gen 3. While we remain in God's image, sin impacts upon each and every aspect of our lives. Because of sin we are dead (Eph 2:1), alienated from God (Col 1:21), enemies of God (Rom 5:10).

The reality of sin in our lives means that we are living in a world that is far from perfect. We see the impact of sin in the world at large - poverty, hunger, war, terrorism, and cancer to name a few. Closer to home, we also see sin at work in our own lives, impacting upon and damaging relationship, seen in our sinful and selfish tendencies.

While we are still created in God's image and rule over his creation, we do so in a frustrated way, as creation groans and longs with us for the return of Jesus and the establishment of the new heavens and the new earth (Romans 8:18-25).

Sin also impacts upon our ability to see ourselves rightly. For some, sin will blind us to our faults and lead to us having an over-inflated view of ourselves, such that Paul exhorts us to think soberly about ourselves (Romans 12:3). Yet for others, sin will manifest itself in a self-loathing, despising themselves for past sin or perceived failures. These people need to be reminded again that Christ has died once for all sin (Hebrews 10:12-13, 1 Peter 3:18)

Christian identity is radically transformed in Jesus
As Christians, the reality is that sin has been defeated by Jesus, and as believers we are radically transformed. Not least, we have been made alive in Christ (Eph 2:5). Our union with Christ has given us a new identity, as Children of God, forgiven, redeemed, sanctified, justified. Who we are 'in Christ' cannot be underestimated. A quick skim through Romans noticing what we are in, through and by Christ reveals that we are justified, redeemed, have peace with God, have obtained access by faith into grace, have been saved from God's wrath, are reconciled, baptised into Christ's death, raised from the dead, live with Christ, will never die again, are set free from sin, have eternal life, have died to the law, serve in the spirit, having been set free from the law of Sin and death, will be graciously given all things.

It is this union with Christ that enables the Bible to talk about us putting off the old way of life and putting on the new way of life, walking in godliness and obedience to Christ (eg Galatians 5, Ephesians 4&5, Col 3, 1 Thes 2). The believer is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

This is an amazing reality that is worth much reflection. In Christ, I am forgiven. My sin is dealt with, and God's Holy Spirit lives and dwells in me.

One thing this doesn't mean is that I no longer sin, which brings us to the fourth and final point of this section.

The tension of living in the now but not yet
1 John is a great book for reminding us of both the call for the believer to walk in obedience to Christ while recognising the reality of sin:

2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

While Christ has completely defeated Satan on the cross, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him, and will not see this until he returns. As such, the believer lives in the tension of the now and not yet. On the one hand sin is dealt with and she is a new creation, but on the other hand, sin is still in the world and plagues her.

Indeed, one area where Satan can seek to undermine the confidence of those who are in Christ is to use the focus of this world on self and self worth. We take our eyes of Jesus and focus upon ourselves and doubt whether we are truly redeemed and forgiven.

Speaking personally, I think that one of the dangers that faces us as believers is to know these great truths but somehow hold them 'out there' and instead of them providing comfort they act as a judge over us as we fail to live up to this standard that we think that we should (I think this was what Michael was referring to in a previous comment about the inward loathing that is sometimes felt). But more on this in the next post when we look at some practical tips (Post #5).

Women and Self-Esteem (Post #4)

The Bible's Solution

In contrast to the view of the world that looks within for an understanding of ourslves, the Bible's response is that the key to Self-Esteem is found not inwardly but outwardly!

We'll look at the bible's solution in four sections:
1. Our concept of self or identity is fundamentally tied up in who God is;
2. The devastating impact of Sin
3. Christian identity is radically transformed in Jesus;
4. The effect of the overlap of the ages.

So firstly,
Our concept of self or identity is fundamentally tied up in who God is
Human beings play a special part in God's creation - we are created in God's image and are specially tasked as his vice-regents here on earth. In Gen 1:26-28 we read of the special dignity and rule that the first man and woman are given in the world while Psalm 8 celebrates the glory of man created in God's image.

There is a high honour given to man that comes not from within but from without, with reference to the one who created us in his image, who is himself the creator and sustainer of the whole universe.

In radical contrast to the world that tells us to look within to find identity and security, the bible tells us to fix our eyes outside of ourselves, on the God of the whole universe and to ground all of our thinking about ourselves in the Character and Nature of the one who created us in his image.

The devastating impact of sin
The rejection of God by the first man and woman, created in God's image, has devastating consequences for them and us Gen 3. While we remain in God's image, sin impacts upon each and every aspect of our lives. Because of sin we are dead (Eph 2:1), alienated from God (Col 1:21), enemies of God (Rom 5:10).

more to come ...

Women and Self-Esteem (Post #3)

The World's solution

Do you remember the ad campaign? I can't remember what it was advertising, but I definitely remember the slogan:

The most important person in the world ... YOU!

Our world tell us that we really are the centre of the universe, that the sun does revolve around me.

And when it comes to the concept of self, the world tells us that we are worthy and valuable and must look within ourselves to find strength. The world commonly tells us that we can determine our identity and destiny - if only we make good and right choices. Even the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is premised on the idea that inwardly we are all beautiful and strong and a healthy self-esteem will come from looking within ourselves in a positive way.

And in the view of the world, our concept of self is inevitably tied to what we do. Once we know someone's name, is it not the next logical step to ask 'and what to you do?'. How many times have you heard someone say 'I'm just a stay at home Mum' Parents boast of their sucessful child who is excelling at school or sport or music.

So how does the world's solution work? For most of us, not really that well at all. For when we look within, we can't help but see imperfection for the reality is that we are not perfect. Rarely is success achieved simply by setting our minds to the task ahead - disappointments and frustrations abound. Furthermore, the world's solution encourages competition, as we measure ourselves in relation to another. As Jane Tooher has said: 'the world's view is unrealistic and unhelpful'

So if the world's solution disappoints, what is the Bible's solution? Stay tuned for Post #4

Women and Self Esteem (Post #2)

The presenting problem

Issues of self-esteem are prevalent in the world in which we live. Kasey Chambers 2001 chart hit 'Not Pretty Enough' from the album: Barricades & Brickwalls struck a chord with many as she sang:

Am I not pretty enough?
Is my heart too broken?
Do I cry too much?
Am I too outspoken?

Don't I make you laugh?
Should I try it harder?
Why do you see right through me?

She expresses the cry for acceptance that many share. Here is a talented recording artist expressing concerns about her place in the world. And it seems that she is not alone.

Who hasn't ministered amongst women who seem to be godly and mature yet express a lack of belief in their own abilities to take on a new task? Who's never heard a woman express doubts about her worth or value? Who's never heard a woman compare herself to others around her and come up short?

We live in a world that is marred by the effects of sin. Pain and suffering are a reality that we will all face in this world. Failure (of at least some kind) is guaranteed. One expression of that is seen in what we call low Self-Esteem.

Next: The world's solution

Women and Self-Esteem (Post #1)

I'm giving a seminar next Tuesday at our MTS Women's Training entitled: 'Women and Self-Esteem' and wanted to enlist your help. The plan is to post in sections what I'm hoping to cover and get your input to help me refine what I'm going to say.

The plan:
The presenting problem (Post #2)

The world's solution (Post #3)

The Bible's solution (Post #4)

Living in light of a right view of the self - practical tips (Post #5)