An Article of Faith

One of Satan’s deadliest weapons is low self-esteem. Satan uses low self-esteem to bring defeat and failure into the lives of countless people, Christians included.
What is “low self-esteem”? It’s a gut-level feeling of inferiority, inadequacy, and low self-worth. This feeling shackles many Christians, in spite of wonderful spiritual experiences and in spite of their faith and knowledge of God’s Word. Although they understand their position as sons and daughters of God, they are tied up in knots, bound by a terrible feeling of inferiority, and chained to a deep sense of worthlessness.
How does Satan wield this deadly weapon? First, he uses low self-esteem to paralyze your potential. The tragic loss in human potential, the watered-down living, the wasted gifts, the leakage of a veritable gold mine of human power and possibility testify to Satan paralyzing activity.
Jesus tells a parable about “The Talents” in Matthew 25:14-30. The man with one talent was immobilized by fear and feelings of inadequacy. Because he was so afraid of failure he didn’t invest his talent, but buried it in the ground and tried to play it safe. His life was a frozen asset – frozen by fear of rejection by the master, fear of failure, fear of comparison to the other two who were making their investments, fear of taking a risk. He did what a lot of people with low self-esteem do – nothing. And that’s exactly what Satan wants for you. He seeks to keep you tied up and tied down, frozen, paralyzed, settling into a job and a life far below your God-given potential.
Second, Satan uses low self-esteem to destroy your God-given dreams. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, the Old Testament prophet Joel prophesied that the young would see visions and the old would dream dreams (Acts 2:17). The Holy Spirit helps us to dream bold dreams, to see visions of what God wants to do for us, in us, and especially through us. What happened to your God-given dream? Where is the vision God put before you? “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God” (William Carey). Lack of faith in God is often fed by underestimating what He wants to do through you.
Finally, Satan uses low self-esteem to ruin your relationships. Think about your relationship with God Himself. It naturally follows that if you consider yourself inferior or worthless, you will think that God really must not love and care for you either. After all, isn’t it somewhat His fault that you are this way? Once you become critical of the design, it isn’t long until you feel resentful toward the Designer. That’s how Satan distorts your concept of God and yourself. When your concept of God is wrong, then your relationships with others are affected: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). If you’re not at peace with God, you won’t be at peace with yourself. If you’re not at peace with yourself, you won’t be at peace with anyone else (taken and adapted from: David A. Seamans, Healing for Damaged Emotions).
Mallalieu United Methodist Church is sponsoring another “Boys 2 Men Seminar” this Saturday, Aug. 22, at the St. Martinville Sr. High School Cafeteria. All elementary, middle and high school boys are invited. They also welcome all dads or father figures to attend the seminar as well. Motivational speaker, Mr. Darryl Charles will address the issue of “Low Self-Esteem.” For more information contact Rev. Valla M. Johnson at (337) 802-2906.

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.