The Deception of Self-Worth

     When people are brought low and have second thoughts about their life, somehow they question their "self-worth". For instance, alcoholics, when they become sober, because of a feeling of freedom, believe they are  worth more. However, worth is not based on sobriety nor things people do for themselves. "Worth" is having value, and "self-worth" is valuing oneself. When one values themselves, psychologists call that "self-esteem'. Ironically, those without God in their lives value themselves more highly than God, and to the extreme, that their entire energy is focused on appeasing themselves. Although it seems they don't value themselves, for many people, the only one they value is themselves.

     For instance, a close relative of mine is addicted to marijuana. His entire life is devoted to getting high from that emotionally addictive substance. If anyone criticizes his addiction, they become his enemies. That reaction is how he protects himself from criticism. He has abandoned nearly everyone who loves him because he loves himself so much. He values his pleasure more than he loves others. Hence, that addict feels he is worth more than others. Not only that, the words of God offend him, and he even values himself more than God. He is the type of person, if he is ever convicted of his sin, will question his self-worth.
     Why does a person have addictions? Because they value their pleasure more than God's will. In fact, they value their pleasure more than their eternal life! That's why they question their self-worth when they become sober. Addictions are appeasing their gods of self rather than pleasing God.

     Scripture makes it clear what everyone thinks of themselves:

Ephes 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.

     Everyone loves themselves, hatred being the opposite of love. Everyone loves themselves so much that they provide for themselves first and adore themselves. How much so? As much as the Lord loves his people: God so loves the world that none should perish (from John 3:16). People love themselves that they want that they not perish. Although people love themselves so much that they desire to live forever, Satan deceives them into believing that what they do is not destructive. They consume drugs and do not die, as God warned and Adam saw, and then continue to use more. It is not truly a question of them devaluing themselves but ignoring God and the consequences of sin.
     It is not a question of self-worth which people have, but what is God worth to them? Is God worth obeying? Obedience is how people value God's love by loving Him in return. Jesus said:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Also, Jesus said:

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

     The former is the Greatest Commandment and the latter, the one like unto it: love others as yourself (Mat 22:39). It seems the standard of loving others is how much people love themselves. Likewise, that is the same standard for loving God: with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30). It seems that people have a lot of love for themselves, so the task at hand is to love God and others as much as people value themselves. (And of course everyone loves themselves so much that they do what they please; Deut 12:8).
     The lack of self-esteem is a ploy the cunning Serpent uses to deceive people. The lack of self-esteem (self-worth) is not mankind's problem; the esteem of self is the problem and Jesus is the solution! Rather than emphasizing the self, the focus should be on Jesus - Christ esteem.  As we place value on the self, value is diminished for God. It is man who must diminish as God is lifted up. That attitude is called "born-again". With a change in nature, the self should be crucified (Mat 10:38).
     Mankind's self-worth is a liability! Men must look toward God for His worth!

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

     There are two attitudes implied therein: (1) without sacrificing oneself, no one is worthy. That is self-sacrifice to make one worthy. It is the meek servant who has value to God - one who knows his lack of self-worth; and (2) diminishing self-worth in favor of valuing Jesus elevates people in God's eyes. It is not self-worth which Christian men must seek but recognizing that men are valuable to God. God-worthy is true value. Self-worth is counterfeit love.
     With that said, why do people turn to Christ? Ironically, it is because of self-worth. Mankind so loves himself that he does not wish to die. Realizing that they are not really gods, the only way to preserve themselves is by the propitiated blood of Jesus. People have much self-worth because no one truly wants to die! It is the focus on self-worth rather than valuing God which condemns mankind. Self-worth is genetic. Adam had self-worth. The problem is that man has too little God-worth.
     Recognizing how much people love themselves is not enlightenment. Knowing they must love God in return for His having value in His creatures is enlightenment!