DEVOTIONAL

SELF-ESTEEMS MOVEMENT*

Read: Isaiah 14:12-15
MEMORISE: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

EXPOSITION
Merriam-Webster dictionary describes self-esteem as a confidence and satisfaction in oneself, a feeling of having respect for yourself and your abilities. One of the Saturday Night Lives most popular skits in the early 90s, was a mock self-help show, called “Daily Affirmation with Smalley”. He would begin the show by reciting into the mirror, “I am good enough, I am smart enough, and, doggone it, people like me.” Self-esteem became a hot topic for motivational speakers and almost a book genre itself. In 1969, Nathaniel Brandon wrote a paper entitled, “The Psychology of Self-Esteem” that suggested that feelings of self-esteem were the key to success in life. The self-esteems movement has done an entire generation a deep disservice.

Satan’s original sin was pride that led him to exalt himself against God. He dangled the same temptation in front of Eve: *_For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil_ (Gen. 3:5).* That was the beginning of the self-esteem’s movement, which invariably ‘pulls’ God down and lifts man up. Satan was implying that God was keeping Eve from realising her full potential. But if she would only eat this fruit, she would be fulfilled. Ever since the human race fell into sin, all sin at its core consists of the arrogance of saying, “I know better than God and His ways. I don’t need to submit to God’s authority. I am an authority unto myself. I can be like God.”

However the Scripture is clear: *_Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall_ (Prov. 16:18),* *_Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble_ (1 Pet. 5:5).*

If we want to avoid being faced by God, and want His grace in our lives, we must judge every proud thought, and grow in humility. The more successful we become, the more it ought to drive us to our knees with the awareness of our own weakness and sins, so that we cling to God alone as our strength and salvation.

PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, please caution and help me to reduce myself wherever I have lifted myself above Your will for my life.
2. Oh Lord, give our youth and academia the spirit and grace of humility, to see themselves as nothing, so as to be something worthwhile.
3. Lord, remove the spirit of “I CAN DO IT BETTER THAN YOU” that is tearing the shepherds’ fold before it tears the Church.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Numbers 32:18 – 33:39; Mark 14:19 – 14:40

You will never be disgraced. Joy and gladness shall fill your home in Jesus name.