The Self-Esteem Myth

The Self-Esteem Myth

More than a decade ago, this magazine published two articles about self-esteem, one which discussed the dangers and problems of the self-esteem movement

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and the other which discussed proper self-esteem,

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thus complementing the first rather than contradicting it. The impetus for this present article is a recent article in Scientific American which provides scientific evidence used for “Exploding the Self-Esteem Myth.”

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The Myth And Its Origin
The myth is that “a favorable opinion of oneself is the central psychological source from which all manner of positive outcomes spring.” 4 Its corollary is that people know intuitively that self-esteem is essential to their well-being. Believing this myth, government leaders in California created a task force of experts to study and report on the subject. The report of this task force stated that “many, if not most, of the major problems plaguing society have their roots in the low self-esteem of many of the people who make up society.” 4 Noteworthy is the fact that this statement was just an unsupported assertion! And, because people believed it, “this myth has sustained an ambitious social agenda for decades.” 4

Today’s Findings
There are many more studies available today than there were 15 years ago, but the proponents of the self-esteem myth have shown little interest in them. Presumably, the lack of interest is because the results do not support their cherished beliefs. For example, the results have shown that boosting self-esteem artificially does not increase performance in school and may actually lower it.

There also is no support for the idea that low self-esteem causes young people to engage in more or earlier sexual activity, or that it correlates with abuse of drugs or alcohol. Likewise, it does not appear to be a main cause of bullying in children, or aggressive behavior in adults.

Effects On Happiness
Thus, although high self-esteem does not lessen a tendency toward violence, does not deter adolescents from turning to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or sex, and does not improve academic or job performance, it does appear to correlate with happiness; however “causation needs to be established.” 5

Here is where Christian experience is relevant. We know that, unless people have “seared” their consciences (1 Tim. 4:2), their wrong deeds will produce a sense of guilt and shame in them. Those who have operating consciences will have “thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them” (Rom. 2:15 NASB). We know that neither denial nor lame excuses will remove a sense of guilt and shame, and that the sense of guilt and shame will naturally produce low self-esteem with consequent unhappiness. But God offers a way for guilt producing sin to be taken away: “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28 NIV). From experience, we know that accepting God’s offer will take away the guilt and shame that lower our self-esteem. The good news is that this option is available to all.

God Desires Us To Be Happy
He sent His Son that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn. 10:10). A full life includes happiness. But to know happiness, we must know the forgiveness of sins, and that in Christ “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph. 1:7). Forgiveness for past sins and present sins, no matter when they have been committed, can be obtained by confessing them (1 Jn. 1:9). Confession is the way God provides for us to get rid of guilt and shame, and thus their unhappiness-producing effect on our self-esteem. Man’s schemes for raising self-esteem – and as Solomon proved (in Ecclesiastes) for obtaining happiness – will not work.

Happy Though Not Trouble-Free
God does not promise that we will be free from trouble, but we are told this: that we have a “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,” and that we can expect comfort from others who have experienced such comfort themselves (2 Cor. 1:3-4). We are told how to obtain freedom from anxiety: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7); and “In everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). A person whose heart and mind are experiencing the peace of God will be happy.

Putting this advice into practice takes years of trial-and-error learning, but we can obtain this peace, as Paul did. He could truthfully say, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Phil. 4:12).

Conclusion
The founders of the United States considered the “pursuit of happiness” to be a God-given “inalienable right,” but they did not tell us how to attain it. God does. Why not start today to develop your self-esteem His way?

END NOTES

1. Ondrejack, Larry, “Anything Wrong With Self-Esteem?” Grace & Truth (Sept. ’92), pp. 19-22.
2. Crosby, Alan H., “Self-Esteem, Another Look” (Feb. ’93), pp. 18.
3. Baumeister, Roy; Campbell, Jennifer; Kruger, Joachim; Vohs, Kathleen; “Exploding The Self-Esteem Myth,” Scientific American (Jan. ’05), pp. 84-91.
4. Baumeister, et al, Ibid, p. 84.
5. Baumeister, et al, Ibid, p. 91.

By Alan Crosby