~Philippians 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

There is so much talk today about self esteem. The world says, “Don’t talk to little Jimmy about his C in Math or that will lower his self esteem!” But what does the Bible say about self esteem? After all, isn’t what God says more important than what the world says? Noah Webster defines esteem as:

ESTEE’M, v.t. [L. estimo; Gr. to honor or esteem.]
1. To set a value on, whether high or low; to estimate; to value.
Then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation. Deu 32.
They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Sam 2.
2. To prize; to set a high value on; to regard with reverence, respect or friendship. When our minds are not biased, we always esteem the industrious, the generous, the brave, the virtuous, and the learned.
Will he esteem thy riches? Job 36.
3. To hold in opinion; to repute; to think.
One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Rom 14.

Do you see any reference to self in there? I did a word search in my Bible for every occurrence of the word esteem (and its variations). There were 20 occurrences in all – some referred to esteeming God, His Word, or others. But none mentioned esteeming ourselves. Does that surprise you?

Let’s stop to think about it for a moment. We are in the “me/I” generation. It’s all about me! I need to have it “my way.” It’s my way or the highway! It’s what I want! What’s in it for ME?! No wonder our country has so many entitlement programs – they even call their programs entitlement! You are “entitled” to have these things – it’s all about you, you, you!

These phrases are all by-products of the self-esteem ME generation. If everyone’s busy having it their way, where’s the lowliness of mind that Paul speaks of?

~Philippians 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

There is no lowliness of mind (humbleness) when we are busy having it our way. Not at all! But when humbleness is our top priority (as Christ humbled Himself), we are placing the needs of others before our own. That is true love. Christ demonstrated such love when He left His royal home to come to earth to die for us (while we were yet sinners, I might add – Romans 5:8). If Jesus believed in self-esteem, He would not have commanded Peter to be a servant when He was washing Peter’s feet (John 13). There’s nothing more humbling than kneeling before someone and washing their feet. There’s nothing involving self-esteem there but everything involving esteeming the other

Esteeming others – esteeming God’s Word – those are quite contrary to the world’s way of thinking. If we were busy thinking of others and their needs, there would be no self-esteem issues. This is what the Lord would have us to do and, therefore, we are being obedient – esteeming others and Him!!!