Several years ago I heard an interview of a 350-pound actor. She called herself “awesome” and said she loves how she looks despite the fact that her weight is dangerously unhealthy.
Whether listening to celebrities praise themselves, watching untalented performers boast at “American Idol” auditions, or just dealing with everyday people, we see the results of America’s self-esteem obsession. We are a nation of selfish people dazzled by ourselves.
Roy F. Baumeister, psychologist, professor and author, was once a self-esteem proponent. But years of professional experience convinced him that self-control is a better indicator of character than self-esteem.
The Bible teaches the same. God opposes pride.(1) He commands that we die to self, consider others better than ourselves, and not think too highly of ourselves.(2) Scripture says self-centeredness and high self-esteem are destructive behaviors.(3)
So let's quit thinking so much about our self-esteem and start aiming for more self-control. And let's reserve the word Awesome for someone who truly is....God!(4)
(1) James 4:6
(2) Luke 9:23-25; Philippians 2:3-7; Romans 12:3
(3) 2 Timothy 3:1-3
(4) It's fine to use awesome for some things other than God. But let's be careful to remain humble and avoid using it for ourselves (Proverbs 27:2; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18).
We have always told our children that only God is awesome. The children are still young and will usually tell someone that uses the word "awesome" that "Only God is awesome!" =)
ReplyDeleteHI. I need to unsubscribe because of this post.
ReplyDeleteSimply hit "unsubscribe" at the bottom of one of your email, Sunny.
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