VALIANT FOR THE TRUTH
=======================================================================================================
[Home] [Palace Beautiful] [Fighting Apollyon] [Introduction]
=======================================================================================================
A RESPONSE TO SELF-WORTH AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE
OR
THE BROKEN CISTERN OF MODERN CHRISTIAN SELF THEORIES
Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
Matthew Henry comments on the above verse:
"If we make an idol of any creature---wealth or pleasure, or honour,--if we place our happiness in it, and promise ourselves the comfort and satisfaction in it which are to be had in God only,--if we make it our joy and love, our hope and confidence, we shall find it a cistern, which we take a great deal of pain to hew out and fill, and at best it will hold but a little water, and that dead and flat, and soon corrupting and becoming nauseous. Nay, it is a broken cistern, that cracks and cleaves in hot weather, so that the water is lost when we have most need of it, Job 6:15 [My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;] . Let us therefore with purpose of heart cleave to the Lord only, for whither else shall we go? He has the words of eternal life." [Matthew Henry's Commentary, Vol IV pg 408]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
WHY THIS STUDY?
Friends please consider this study a gentle calling to discernment. Consider this study an opportunity for you to Evaluate and Weigh the current teachings that are sweeping through Christendom TODAY. The particular teachings that you are being called to CONSIDER are those going by the following names:
Self-Esteem
Self-Worth
Self-Acceptance
Self-Regard
Self-Confidence
Self-Love
Self-many other self-centered and self-focused doctrines
If you believe:
1) That you cannot love others until you first learn to love yourself.
2) That Jesus Christ died on the cross so you could overcome your feelings of inferiority.
3) That Rejecting Self is the same as Rejecting God.
4) That if you cannot love your wife properly it is because you haven't first learned to accept yourself.
5) That Cain killed Abel because Cain had not learned to accept himself.
6) That LOW-SELF esteem is the great disease of our country.
7) That BAD BEHAVIOR is caused by the root problem of LOW-SELF esteem.
8) That you are the center of your own universe.
Then please consider this a call to repentance, a call to a change of mind, a call to return to a biblical view of SELF as taught in the BIBLE and not as put forth by EVANGELICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
Self-centered doctrines are among the worst of the MOST PREVALENT HERESIES sweeping through our churches. If you will at least be alerted, or even given pause to RECONSIDER your own position on these popular SELF-THEORIES then my time and yours is well spent. IT is my hope, to at least give you a reason to doubt the validity of Self- Esteem, Self-Worth, Self-Acceptance, SELF-ETC as an aid to your spiritual growth. I hope that you will see that these theories are not BIBLICAL but are diametrically opposed to the gospel. THEY ARE CONTRARY to the cross of JESUS CHRIST. These theories are a hindrance to your spiritual maturity. They are as Jeremiah by the HOLY GHOST pronounces, broken cisterns hewn out for us that we might not drink from the fountains of living water. They are corrupting and nauseating. Contrary to the Cross, borne from the wisdom of Worldly man, and designed to put your eyes on you and not on our risen LORD JESUS CHRIST.
What is the answer to LOW SELF ESTEEM? NO SELF ESTEEM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Does Scripture actually teach what these theories portray? That you are a victim of feelings of inferiority. That man by and large is guilty of SELF-HATRED and must learn to love and accept himself. That it was God's design at the cross for you to overcome your feelings of inferiority and find self-worth. That you cannot be a socially responsible individual until you have acquired a healthy dose of self- esteem, self-acceptance, and self-love.
Or does scripture call us to deny self, die to self, and to be crucified with Jesus Christ? Are we to glory in "who we are in Jesus Christ" or Should we exalt and magnify God for Who Jesus Christ is, Who is IN US?
If scripture does in fact teach these Self-Theories then The Church of God in Jesus Christ has failed miserably for the past 1900 years. The theologians, preachers, teachers and expositors from the past knew no such vocabulary as Self-Love, Self-Acceptance, Self-Esteem, and Self- Worth except as they CONDEMNED such things as SIN.
According to Author, Paul Brownback, prior to 1974, Christendom did not preach such theories, did not use such language, did not recommend such solutions. Brownback states that Robert Schuller was the first to introduce the Church to SELF-LOVE theories and the language of Self- Esteem doctrines. Worldly psychologists had been proclaiming the message for some time prior to this. After Schuller took the big step to big money in introducing us to SELF-Esteem many others soon followed suit. Brownback goes on to state that if we were to examine the books now being written and sold in Christian Bookstores and he were to underline every reference to the gospel, Jesus Christ and the Word of God and you were to underline every reference to Psychology theories and solutions you would run out of ink in your pen long before he would.
Let me repeat again the Self-Theories sweeping through the Church today and which I hope you now do or soon will reject:
Self-Esteem
Self-Worth
Self-Acceptance
Self-Regard
Self-Confidence Self-Love
Self-many other self oriented doctrines
Again does scripture actually teach these theories? If you will seriously look at God's word You will soon discover that the Word of God does not teach you the great need of overcoming feelings of LOW- SELF Esteem but rather that SELF is opposed to God. Self must be denied. Instead of focusing your life on improving your self-image you need to improve your GOD-IMAGE (God-Image is your knowledge of God, who HE is, What are HIS wonderful attributes, What we are to believe about HIM, What duties HE requires of us, and the closeness to which we walk with him). Look unto Jesus, Look into HIS WONDERFUL FACE. Do you see the LOVE OF GOD commended to you while you were yet a SINNER? God reconciling you to himself while you were HIS ENEMY. It was because of my utter filthiness, lostness, and undoneness that I NEED A SAVIOR. And God sent His only begotten SON not because I was worth it but because HE loved. Let GOD BE PRAISED. Consider the following SELF- TOPICS as listed in the NAVE's Topical BIBLE. You will not find in them the teachings contained in the MODERN POP PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF- THEORIES.
SELF-CONDEMNATION:
Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: [if I say], I [am] perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
II Samuel 24:17 And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
Proverbs 5:12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
SELF-CONFIDENCE: SEE CONFIDENCE, FALSE
I Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Deuteronomy 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
Psalms 30:6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
Psalms 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
Psalms 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Psalms 52:7 Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.
Proverbs 14:16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Jeremiah 3:23 Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.
Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.
Jeremiah 7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
Romans 12:16 [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
II Corinthians 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
SELF-CONTROL David in 1 Sam 24, 1 Sam 26
SELF-CRIMINATION Num 5:11-27, ACHAN in Joshua 7,19-25
SELF-DECEPTION James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
SELF-DELUSION Exhibited in thinking that: our own ways our right, Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. we should adhere to wicked practices, Jeremiah 44:17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. we are pure, Proverbs 30:12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness. we are better than others, Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. we are rich in spiritual things, Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: we may have peace while in sin, Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: we are above adversity, Psalms 10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for [I shall] never [be] in adversity. gifts entitle us to heaven, Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? priviledges entitle us to heaven, Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. God will not punish our sins, Jeremiah 5:12 They have belied the LORD, and said, [It is] not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: , Christ will not come to judge, II Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation. our lives will be prolonged. Isaiah 56:12 Come ye, [say they], I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, [and] much more abundant. Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry. James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
SELF-DENIAL: (This is the message we should learn and preach to ourselves and others. It is a topic that flies in the face of all current self-theories. SELF-DENIAL! The word of God really does call me to self-denial. How can this be? All day long ministers and Christian psychologists are on the radio exhorting me to LOVE MYSELF, to ACCEPT MYSELF, to overcome those feelings of inferiority and note my own WORTH, I AM important, they say. This is especially noticeable in their renewed efforts to combat the CHRISTMAS BLAHS caused by LOW-SELF ESTEEM, TRAUMA FROM CHILD HOOD, Depression induced from taking care of others. The bible does teach me to deny myself even though the battle cry of the MODERN GOSPEL is that I need to discover those twenty secrets to self- acceptance. What is the source of these SELF-THEORIES? Who's mouthpiece are we, when instead of SELF-DENIAL, SELF-ACCEPTANCE is taught? )
Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me.
II Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy [it] of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Psalms 132:3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
Proverbs 16:32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite.
Daniel 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
Romans 14:21 [It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
I Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
I Corinthians 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
I Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [wealth].
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
II Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Hebrews 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
I Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
AFTER Having listed out SOME of the references under the topic SELF-DENIAL it is important to note that now the Nave's refers us to two other related topics: 1) HUMILITY, 2)THE CROSS. Both of these topics also stand in STARK contrast to the MODERN POPULAR SELF- THEORIES of Evangelical Christian Psychology.
SELF-EXALTATION: (If any of the SELF-topics listed in NAVE's will give credence to the popular self-theories, this one should. ESTEEM means to consider highly and is similar in meaning as EXALTing self. HOWEVER, I don't think the following verses listed under this heading will view SELF ESTEEM as a HOLY TRAIT.)
Ezekiel 31:10 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness. And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him. Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches: To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.
Obadiah 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Luke 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
II Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
II Corinthians 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
II Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
SELF-EXAMINATION: (AS we are called to self-examination in scripture, are we called to examine ourselves that we might learn to love ourselves? ARE we called to examine ourselves that we may ACCEPT ourselves? ARE we called to examine ourselves that we may overcome the feelings of inferiority that plague us? Are we called to examine ourselves that we may find worth? For what purpose does scripture call us to examine ourselves and what directions are we given?
Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psalms 19:12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].
Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
Haggai 1:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
I Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
I Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
II Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
SELF-INDULGENCE: see GLUTTONY; IDLENESS; SLOTHFULNESS; ALSO SELF- DENIAL.
Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
SELFISHNESS Self-Esteem, Self-Acceptance, Self-Focused Self Theories designed to overcome inferiority, to meet your "needs" ultimately lead to selfishness. "Is this good for me?" "How does this make me feel?" "I can't properly love you until I first learn to love ME"?
Proverbs 24:11 If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?
Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
II Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
I John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Proverbs 30:12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness. [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
SEE HYPCRISY, SELF-EXALTATION
SELF-WILL stubborness forbidden,
II Chronicles 30:8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
Self-will proceeds from unbelief, II Kings 17:14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. Self-Will proceeds from pride, Nehemiah 9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, Nehemiah 9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear. Self-Will proceeds from an evil heart, Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. God Knows, Isaiah 48:4 Because I knew that thou [art] obstinate, and thy neck [is] an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; Ministers should be without self-will, Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; Ministers should warn their people against self-will, Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in [their] heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Having completed our examination of the SELF-TOPICS contained in the Nave's Topical Bible, let's stop for a brief review.
MODERN PSYCHOLOGISED CHRISTIANITY PREVALENT TODAY AS COMPARED TO GOD's WORD WHICH ENDURES FOREVER.
Self-Esteem vs. SELF-CONDEMNATION
Self-Worth vs SELF-CONFIDENCE (see verses listed above)
Self-Acceptance vs. SELF-CONTROL
Self-Regard vs. SELF-CRIMINATION
Self-Confidence vs. SELF-DECEPTION
Self-Love vs. SELF-DELUSION
SELF-DENIAL
SELF-EXALTATION
SELF-EXAMINATION
SELF-INDULGENCE
SELFISHNESS
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
SELF-WILL
At the beginning of this study it was noted that Paul Brownback pointed out, it was Robert Schuller that brought the first SELF-LOVE book to Christendom. But of course this was not the first time SELF was imposed on mankind.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
SATAN first tempted with the exaltation of SELF. YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE, YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, YE SHALL BE AS GODS.
Self moves to center stage. EVE was tempted and desired what she was tempted with. Her eyes were no longer enraptured with her Creator. He was no longer the focus of her life. Her eyes could be opened, and she and Adam shall be as GODS. SELF won the day. What self wanted self was served and innocence was lost. Sin entered and with sin DEATH.
ADAM and EVE became very SELF-AWARE:
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
As we were reveiwing the SELF-TOPICS found in Nave's:
Were there any references that called us to love ourselves?
Were we ever commanded to self-acceptance?
Were we ever given credence to ascribe worth to OUR OWNSELVES.
Were we exhorted to ESTEEM OURSELVES HIGHLY?
Nowhere did such Self-Theories come out. UPON what supposedly biblical basis are we ever exhorted to LOVE OURSELVES? One popular passage in scripture is this:
Matthew 22:36 Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
From this passage the implication is made that BEFORE WE CAN LOVE GOD OR OUR NEIGHBORS WE MUST FIRST LOVE OURSELVES. Shamefully, I must admit that, here I was guilty, HERE I grievously led others astray. It was upon this supposition that in the Spring of 1986 I taught a group of 7th to 12th graders that before they could love others they must first love themselves. The lie is subtle, the inference seems so plausible, it agrees with the philosphies of our society and the general message heard on Christian radio. WE must be ready to give answer of the hope that is in us and to give that answer in GODLY FEAR. Let not many of you be teachers, let not a NOVICE teach. God be praised that 1 year later, I was enabled to speak to the same group of 7th-12th graders and confess: "I have led you astray. This passage does not give THREE commandants:
1) Love God
2) Love Neigbor
3) Love Self
But only two: " ON THESE TWO commandments". Love your neighbor as you already love yourself."
The following quotation is taken from the book, Christian Psychology's War on God's Word, The Victimization of The Beliver, by Jim Owen:
Matthew 22:39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. It sounds straightforward, doesn't it? We needn't spend much time deciding whether Christ is instructing us to love ourselves first. If He wanted to make that the main thrust of this commandment, He would have made it clear. I can imagine Him saying something like, "You need to love yourself, and when you have learned to do that, then love your neighbor in the same way." But He didn't!
What He said was, "Love your neighbor as yourself." The Lord knew that self-love already exists in generous amounts. The fact that Christ compares it to the First Commandment, the thrust of the sentence itself(our neighbor's need), and the use of the verb agapao (which speaks of other-directed love) all mitigate against the idea that Christ is telling us to learn to love ourselves first. To interpret Christ's commandment to love others as a command to love ourselves is to openly ignore the intent of God's Word.......
Despite "Christian" psychology's insistence that we must learn to love ourselves, it is difficult, when one considiers the biblical depiction of man-the-sinner, to discover someone who doesn't already love himself excessively. For example, Psalm 10 describes a man as arrogant, boastful, haughty and pleased with himself. In reading Romans 1:18-32, one gets the overwhelming impression of a race of beings bursting with self-love and self-worth. [Christian Psycholog's War on God's Word, Owen, pp 51,54]
The following is a quote from Martin and Deidre Bobgan's book also discussing the use of Matthew 22:40 to justify the SELF theories prevalent today:
Various teachers of self-esteem and self-love use the Great Commandment to justify self-love...... Is the commandment to love self a commandment of God or is it a commandment of men?
Jesus accused the pharisees of adding the commandments of men to commandments of God (mat 15:9). Secular Humanists and many Christians seek to prove that Jesus included a commandment to love self along with the commandment to love neighbor. If, indeed, the Bible commands us to love ourselves we must do so. However, if the Bible does not command us to love ourselves, then we have a modern counterpart to the sect of the Pharisees: the sect of self- esteem psychologists.
In his Epilogue, added to the end of the revised version of Hide or Seek, Dobson says:Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, implying not only that we are permitted a reasonable expression of self-love, but that love for others is impossible--until we experience a measure of self-respect. (Emphasis his.)
In a Focus on the Family interview, marriage and family counselor H. Norman Wright declares: "You can't be happily married to another person unless you're happily married to yourself." Dobson answers, "There's a scriptural basis for that--to love others as you love yourself." Christians who teach self-love regularly quote Matthew 22:40 and Mark 12:30 in defense of loving self. But Jesus was not talking about loving oneself emotionally. He used the word agapao when He said:
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Agapao is volitional love, not the emotional love of affection or liking or feeling good about someone. It has to do with will and action. Thus love for God is expressed in trust, obedience, commitment, and service. Love for neighbor would be doing good for that person.....
The concept of self-love is not the subject of the Great Commandment. It is only a qualifier. When Jesus commands people to love God with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" (Mark 12:30), He is emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of this love (beyond the possiblity of natural man and only possible through divine grace).....
Jesus does not command people to love themselves. He does not say there are three commandments (love God, love neighbor, and love self.) Instead, he says, "On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets" (Matthew 22:40). Love of self is a fact, not a command. In fact, Jesus would not command people to love others as themselves if they do not already love themselves. It would be a pointless statement.
THE DANGER OF SELF-LOVE.
While Dobson and others encourage self-esteem, self-worth, self-acceptance and thereby self-love, the Bible warns about the danger of having a fondness for oneself, of cherishing the self. Paul says:
II Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Notice the list of adjectives that describe "lovers of their ownselves." They certainly match up with the current increase in illicit entertainment, materialism, teenage rebellion, fornication, rape, adultery, divorce, drunkeness, hatred of God, and other forms of pleasure-seeking self- centeredness.
This prophecy is being at least partly fulfilled today. The escalation in self-centered, self-pleasing crimes has risen dramatically. When one looks at the increasing emphasis on self-love, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and self-seeking, one can see the disastrous results of selfishness going rampant. Psychologists present self-esteem and self-love as the remedy for illegal drugs and illicit sex. But, those social problems have increased proportionately to the increase in self-esteem and self-love teachings.
[The above quotes are from Chapter 11 of the book, Prophets of Psychohersy II, Martin and Deidre Bobgan, all emphasis's are found in their book]
The message we are getting from all this SELF-THEORY would require us to change the words of that wonderful song about "Turning our eyes upon Jesus" to:
Turn your eyes upon you,
Look full in your own wonderful face,
And the things on earth will grow wonderfully appealing,
In the absence of his glory and grace.
There is a parable related in the book Christian Psychologies War on God's Word. This parable is about a man named heathen and a man named Christian. They are as their names are. Christian always strived to do good for Heathen. Heathen continually ridiculed and degraded Christian treating him despitefully and at times abusing him. One day Heathen's friends turned on him and tried to kill Heathen. Almost too late, Christian came to his rescue. Christian beat off heathens enemies at great cost to his ownself. Christian bandaged up Heathen's beaten body even as his own wounds bled onto the dressing he was applying to Heathen. Without care for himself Christian ministered to Heathen.
"Scarcely had he raised Heathen to his feet, than he himself collapsed and died on the very spot where Heathen had lain before. Heathen stared in numbed disbelief. Then he turned weeping, broken in spirit and humbled in heart as never before---and shamefully retreated into his house. He did not pause until he reached his bedroom. Once there he stood before his wall mirror and surveyed his battered but bandaged reflection. Then he spoke. "Heathen," he whispered through raw lips, "do you realize what Christian just did for you?" He paused, then placed his heels together, sucked in his stomach, pushed out his chest, tucked in his chin and looked straight into his reflected, blood-shot eyes. "Heathen, you have never experienced such undeserved love in all your life. Do you know what, Heathen? I feel good about myself because of it. Yes, now I can have a sense of self-worth and can love myself appropriately because of Christian's gracious sacrifice."
Nonsensical, isn't it? So it is with us, but even more so-- vile, wicked sinners, standing at the foot of the cross, washed pure in the blood of the Lamb by God himself. Oh, see the love of the Father, reconciling himself to us, not counting our sins against us, even as we nail His Son to the cross and curse His name! Was there ever a more despicable act? Was there ever a greater mercy extended? Shall we now pause even as we eagerly partake of that mercy, and turn our eyes from the cross to our own reflection and say to ourselves, "OH, but I feel good about myself because of this"? [Christian Psychologies War on Gods Word, Jim Owen, pp 63-64]
We have come to the end of this study. There are yet a few souls standing against the tide of HERESY flooding the church. If you desire to look into this matter further some resources to consider are:
Danger of Self Love, by Paul Brownback
Six Tapes on Danger of Self-Love, By Paul BrownBack
Seduction of Christianity, By Dave Hunt
Beyond Seduction, By Dave Hunt
Four tapes on Psychology and Christian Selfism by Dave Hunt
Prophet's of Psychoheresy by Martin and Deidre Bobgan
Many other books by the Bobgan's
Christian Psychologies War on God's Word by James Owen.
Global Peace by Dave Hunt
One more final trumpet sounding of discernment from Dave Hunt's book, Global Peace:
Today's false gospel is spawning "Christians" who have been attracted to a "Christ" who has the attributes of Antichrist. This widely-presented false "Christ" no longer calls sinners to repentance before a holy God but excuses ungodly behavior as a psychological problem resulting from traumas suffered in childhood. Instead of requiring his disciples to "deny self and take up the cross," he teaches them to love and accept themselves and to recognize their inherent "self-worth." Nor does this "Christ" promise the "meek" that they will inherit the earth, but offers "self-assertion" training. Instead of blessing those that "mourn," he warns against "low self-esteem" and promotes a new "positive self-image." And rather than promising heaven to the "poor in spirit," this false "Christ" offers to the financially poor the enticing gospel of a hundredfold return for gifts to certain ministries. [Global Peace, Dave Hunt, p. 269]
The Self-Theories we have been examining are another gospel. The gospel of a psuedo-christ. As Dave Hunt so accurately proclaims, a false christ is being preached, another gospel is being lifted up, another other than the true. In Acknowledgement of this, I humbly bow my knees and call on Jesus Christ, the LORD MY GOD. Knowing that whosover calls upon the Lord shall not be ashamed. Not looking within, not searching for inherent worth in me, but praising my Lord who IS WORTHY. God guide me, God open my eyes, God protect us from ourselves, God give us grace that we may discern the true from the false.
As a POSTSCRIPT to this study, I would like to add the following quotes by John Calvin who so wonderfully destroyed SELF-LOVE, SELF-Theories in his day. May the reading of these assist in equipping you to resist the flood tide of CHRISTIAN SELFISM sweeping through the churches in our country.
JOHN CALVIN:
WHICH TEACHERS GET THE PREEMINENCE?
"Owing to the innate self-love by which all are blinded, we most willingly persuade ourselves that we do not possess a single quality which is deserving of hatred...in every age, he who is most forward in extolling the excellence of human nature, is received with the loudest applause...whosoever, therefore gives heed to those teachers who merely employ us in contemplating our good qualities, so far from making progress in self-knowledge, will be plunged into the most pernicious ignorance. --- Drowning by this delusion in perdition." [Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 2, John Calvin, pg 211]
John Calvin discussing Matthew 22:37-40 Love thy neighbor as thyself:
"And, indeed, since men are naturally prone to excessive self-love, which they always retain; how great soever their departure from the truth may be, there was no need of a law to flame a love already existing in excess. Hence, it is perfectly plain, that the observance of the commandments consists not in love of ourselves, but in the love of God and our neighbor; and, that none lives worse and more unrighteously than he who studies and lives only for himself, and seeks and thinks only of his own. Nay, the better to express how strongly we should be inclined to love our neighbor, the Lord has made self-love as it were the standard, there being no feeling in our nature of greater strength and vehemence. The force of the expression ought to be carefully weighed. For he does not (as some sophists have stupidly dreamed) assign the first place to self-love, and the second to charity. He rather transfers to others the love we naturally feel for ourselves. Hence the Apostle declares, that charity "seeketh not her own" (1 Cor 13:5). Nor is the argument worth a straw, that the thing regulated must always be inferior to the rule. The Lord did not make self-love the rule, as if love towards others was subordinate to it; but whereas through natural pravity, the feeling of love usually rests on ourselves, he shows that it ought to diffuse itself in another direction -- that we should be prepared to do good to our neighbor with no less alacrity, ardour, solicitude, than to ourselves." [Institutes, Calvin, Book 2, pg 358]
MODERN SELF-THEORIES say REJECTING SELF IS REJECTING GOD. cf Bill Gothard:
"The Christian ought, indeed, to be so trained and disposed as to consider, that during his whole life he has to do with God. For this reason, as he will bring all things to the disposal and estimate of God, so he will religiously direct his whole mind to him. For he who has learned to look to God in everything he does, is at the same time diverted from all vain thoughts. This is that self-denial which Christ so strongly enforces on his disciples from the very outset (Matth. xvi. 24), which, as soon as it takes hold of the mind leaves no place either, first, for pride, show and astentation; or secondly, for avarice, lust, luxury, effeminacy, or other vices which ar engendered by self-love. On the contrary, wherever it reigns not, the foulest vices are indulged in without share; or, if there is some appearance of virtue, it is vitiated by a depraved longing for applause. Show me, if you can, an individual who, unless he has renounced himself in obedience to the Lord's command, is disposed to do good for its own sake. Those who have not so renounced themselves have followed virtue at least for the sake of praise. The philosphers who have contended most strongly that virtue is to be desired on her own accournt, were so inflated with arrogance as to make it apparent that they sought virtue for no other reason than a a ground for indulging in pride. So far, therefore, is God from being delighted with these hunters after popular applause with their swollen breasts, that he declares they have received their reward in this world (Matth. vi. 2), and that harlots and publicans are nearer the kingdom of heaven than they (Matth. xx1. 31). We have not yet sufficeintly explained how great and numerous are the obstacles by which a man is impeded in the pursuit of rectitude, so long as he has not renounced himself. The old saying is true, There is a world of iniquity treasured up in the human soul. Nor can you find any other remedy for this than to deny yourself, renounce your own reason, and direct your whole mind to the pursuit of those things which the Lord requires of you, and which you are to seek only because they are pleasing to Him.................
WHO AM I. cf. Bill Gothard, Mark Bubeck, and Neil Anderson
"For so blindly do we all rush in the direction of self-love, that every one thinks he has a good reason for exalting himself and despising others in comparison. If God has bestowed on us something not to be repented of, trusting to it, we immediately become elated, and not only swell, but almost burst with pride."
"Many bear about with them some measure of mildness so long as all things go smoothly and lovingly with them, but how few are there who, when stung and irritated, perserve the same tenor of moderation? For this there is no other remedy than to pluck up by the roots those most noxious pests, self-love and love of victory (philoneikia, philautia). This the doctrine of Scripture does. For it teaches us to remember, that the endowments which God has bestowed upon us are not our own, but His free gifts, and that those who plume themselves upon them betray their ingratitude. "Who maketh thee to differ," saith Paul, "and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?," now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Cor. 1v.7) Then by a diligent examination of our faults, let us keep ourselves humble. Thus while nothing will remain to swell our pride, there will be much to subdue it. .....The only way by which you can ever attain to true meekness, is to have your heart imbued with a humble opinion of yourself and respect for others."
"How difficult it is to perform the duty of seeking the good of our neighbour! Unless you leave off all thought of yourself, and in a manner cease to be yourself, you will never accomplish it. How can you exhibit those works of charity which Paul describes unless you renounce yourself, and become wholly devoted to others?" [Institutes, Calvin, Book 3, pg 8,9,10]
Please as you leave this study consider the following verses which are catalogued under the topic, HUMILITY, in the Nave's Topical Bible:
REFERENCES FROM THE WORD OF GOD THAT DO NOT EXHORT US TO HAVE SELF- WORTH, SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-LOVE AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE:
Proverbs 11:2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.
Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
Luke 14:8 When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Psalms 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Psalms 22:6 But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalms 131:1 {A Song of degrees of David.} LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Psalms 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Proverbs 22:4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.
Proverbs 25:6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]: For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isaiah 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Matthew 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I [must] decrease.
John 13:14 If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:16 [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
I Corinthians 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
I Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
I Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
I Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
I Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
II Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;
II Corinthians 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Philippians 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
I Timothy 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
I Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
=======================================================================================================
[Home] [Palace Beautiful] [Fighting Apollyon] [Introduction]
=======================================================================================================