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NASB | Romans 12:3 ¶ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 12:3 ¶ For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. |
Bible Question:
I agree. So now please tell us: How high is your self-esteem? Do you think of yourself as a king or as a servant? Do you combine them both? And then what do you get? Romans 12:3 is in the context of fitting into the body, the church. Does it not matter then, how you come across to people? The question has the serious goal of helping us to have a proper self-concept and to carry ourselves accordingly. |
Bible Answer: Aixen - EdB, adroitly blending scriptural passages with personal experience, came up with an excellent answer that I do not presume to equal. However, two small points come to mind. The first is that Jesus obviously never questioned man's capacity for self-love and thus gave few discourses that could be viewed as pep talks designed to enhance self-esteem. Instead He told His followers to love their neighbor as they loved themselves. The second point I would try to make is that being overly concerned with the image we project -- how we come across -- to people is itself narcissistic and really has no place in the life of a follower of Christ. It was a minister of yesteryear -- I can't recall just who it was -- who said, "People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages." There are doubtlessly some people who have what the psychologists call "low self-esteem." But they are very possibly far outnumbered by the self-centered snobs who are overly endowed with egotism. The message of the Bible is to lead a life centered not on self but on Christ. Even the most worldly psychologist would endorse that as being sound therapy! --Hank |