"Lol I got a pamphlet packet thing from church called self esteem what does the bible say
Sirach 10 27-28 (Must have been an edited out book of the bible so not the most reliable but)
My son, with humility have self-esteem; prize yourself as you deserve. Who will acquit him who condemns himself? Who will honor him who discredits himself?"
The difference between non-canonical texts and canonical texts is huge; canonical means it is part of the Bible, it is Divinely inspired, it is of God. And, most importantly, it is true!
I can already see a problem with this verse; "prize yourself as you deserve".
Well, we already know none of us are deserving of anything! If we were to "prize ourself as we deserve", we would have to hate ourself! And indeed, we should hate our flesh, but not our spirit, for in Jesus it is alive. In Jesus we should rejoice.
Secondly, we know that we should not exalt ourself (condoning oneself is the opposite of condemning; Sirach is preaching the opposite). Thirdly, we know we should not credit yourself with anything!
So, again, do not even look at this verse. I may as well write:
"Make sure you always wear tight clothing; for who could bear the sight of you otherwise?"
Obviously what I just wrote isn't divinely inspired; it is also in conflict with other verses.
"Romans 12:3 (I think)
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one as a measure of faith."
This verse is calling us to humble ourselves. This has nothing to do with loving oneself or not.
This is what the Bible does say about loving oneself:
Leviticus 19:18
"“Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. "
Matthew 19:19
"Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “"
Matthew 22:39
"A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ "
Mark 12:31
"The second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” "
Luke 10:27
"The man answered, ” `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” "
Romans 13:9
"For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting–and any other commandment–are all summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” "
Galatians 5:14
"For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”"
James 2:8
"Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord’s royal command found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
So, what does God mean by love?
1 Corinthians 13:
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love"
