“Nowhere on the pages of the Gospel record did anyone ever deny the reality of Jesus’ miracles. Who could deny them? There were too many, and they had been done too publicly to be dismissed by even the most skeptical gainsayers. Of course, some desperately tried to attribute Jesus’ miracles to the power of Satan (Matthew 12:24). No one, however, ever denied that the miracles were real. Anyone could see that He had the power to cast out demons and do miracles at will. No one could honestly question whether He truly had power over the supernatural world.”

John MacArthur.

Our cultural emphasis on self-esteem as a virtue has principally accelerated into accepted normal thinking over the last 60 years. Some of us that are older remember the popular phrase, “I am alright, and you are alright.” It correlates to our culture’s regressive view of the Scripture and lack of understanding of God’s Word. This is especially true in relation to the sinful condition of all mankind. Our culture not only promotes self-centered pride through our schools, movies, and a host of other sources but uses it as a chief means of marketing. Many advertisements have in their logic an appeal that says, “You deserve this!” The self-esteem psychological appeal is built upon pride. I found this definition of self-esteem online: “Self-esteem is confidence in one’s own worth, abilities, or morals. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself (for example, “I am loved”, “I am worthy”) as well as emotional states, such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame.” Additionally, I found an article written in a psychology magazine that provides something of the prominent thinking of today. The article begins by saying, “Confidence in one’s value as a human being is a precious psychological resource and generally a highly positive factor in life; it is correlated with achievement, good relationships, and satisfaction.” It is interesting that in the same article it also stated that, “Too much self-love, on the other hand, results in an off-putting sense of entitlement and an inability to learn from failures. It can also be a sign of clinical narcissism, in which individuals may behave in a self-centered, arrogant, and manipulative manner.”

What is chiefly missing with all of the psychological discussion is that God is left out. Instead of going to the One who made man, and understanding what has become of mankind as a result of the fall, many if not most are looking around merely from a finite basis attempting to diagnose man’s condition and problem. Ironically, true worth can only be found in knowing God through Jesus Christ. We are all born as sinners. When a right relationship is restored through Christ, we are then called the “beloved of God “(Rom. 1:7). God’s revelation and opinion of us is the only one that matters.  The Bible’s emphasis is never self-love or pride. It should be of no surprise that man in sin and being led about by satanic influence would magnify this area of self-love or self-esteem. Satan himself had this problem (Ezekiel 28:17). But whatever we think of ourselves, it does not change the reality of who we really are before a holy God. That is the issue above all so-called psychological matters! God’s instruction is focused instead on love for God and love for others. This is His chief commandment. As for our children, their attention is to be in obedience to parents, not in self-love or pride. Parents are to exercise discipline and encourage them as they teach them God’s truth.

The epistle of James speaking under inspiration says, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you” (James 4:1)? Here the problem of pride is exemplified.  A Christian is someone who has been effectually changed by Christ through God’s Word.  James is fleshing out those claiming to be Christian, but not living it! In verse 5 he begins with the Spirit. We should be reminded of Christ’s conversation with Nicodemus (John 3), “Unless one is born of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” James is referring to the required work in the heart. “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us (James 4:5).” There can be those functioning in the church with no evidence of the presence of the Spirit of God at work.

James goes on to state, “But He gives a greater grace” (James 4:6a).  Here is the cure seen by this contrast with the work of God. Only God can bring us to overcome the world. “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6b). He is telling those being addressed how repulsive pride is to God. Pride takes a person and foolishly places them ahead of God. The first thing that is required of every person in order to have a right relationship with Christ is to come to the end of self. An attitude of humility is repeatedly seen in Scripture as necessary, and not optional.  Beginning in James 4:7, we are shown what this humble attitude is like, “Submit therefore to God.” When we arrive at James 4:9, James says, “Be miserable and mourn and weep, let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.” This is no casual mindset before our God, but a true brokenness seen by all in Scripture when they encounter the Lord. No matter what the psychological opinion, there is no place for pride in a Christian. When we arrive at James 4:10 he says, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.” This one passage reminds us of our true condition and that when we come to Christ in humility, He in His grace gives us what we do not deserve. Humility and submission to God go together. When Christ Himself took on the form of man, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:5). He is our example. Brethren do not buy into the satanic scheme of self-esteem or pride. God’s way for all who desire Christ is to recognize ourselves as unworthy sinners! We look only to Christ in the highest gratitude!  It is He who will give us in perfect measure what we could never earn or deserve – “He will exalt you!”