Note 12 at 1 Cor. 1:28: According to today's standards, these verses prove that Paul was grossly ignorant of the importance of "self-worth" or "self-image." He is plainly stating that until a person becomes a "nobody" in his own eyes, he cannot become a "somebody" in the eyes of God.

It is true that many people have been destroyed by feelings of complete worthlessness. However, the answer to this problem is not to escape responsibility by placing the blame on others or comparing ourselves with others (2 Cor. 10:12) in an attempt to console ourselves. The proper course of action is to confront the fact that in ourselves we are nothing, and find our new identity in Christ.

Sometimes, religious teaching that "harps" on our worthlessness in the flesh (see note 3 at Rom. 7:18, p. 790) does more damage than good. There is a truth in this. But without the positive good news of our new-found value in Christ, this fact becomes a club that beats the life out of people.

Many mental patients are very religious people who have heard only the negative side of these truths. Therefore, one of the first things psychologists try to do to mental patients is to discredit religion, which they recognize is giving these people their low "self-esteem." This is the wrong approach.

The Bible is designed to show man his need for God, and, in doing this, a realization of our frailties and comparative worthlessness is a part of the process. This is positive if we don't stop there. Our need has to be made obvious before we will be motivated to turn to the Lord.

A whole generation has been raised under the deception that there is no right and wrong in an attempt to raise our "self-esteem" and remove guilt. It has produced people who are hardened to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This is evident in the blatant perversion of lifestyles and values visible everywhere in our society. Psychology's denial of our unworthiness has given a license to immorality and only intensified the turmoil inside mankind.

The answer to low "self-esteem" isn't in psychology's denial of truth, but in Christ. Paul goes on to state that Jesus has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (v. 30).

It is true that we, in ourselves, are nothing (Rom. 7:18), but once we are born again, we have a brand new identity in Christ (see note 17 at Jn. 8:44, p. 293). Our total worth should be found in Christ and not in ourselves. Christianity is not an improved self, but a denial of self and an enthronement of Christ. There is a new self in the spirit of every Christian which is holy and pure and as righteous as Jesus (see note 3 at Mt. 26:41, p. 507; see note 1 at Roman. 8:18, p. 797).

Once a person learns these truths and finds his new life in Christ, then seeing the failures and flaws of his old self will not bring guilt or depression. Instead, this will make him run back into the security of his new self in Christ and praise Him for this great provision.