Hi Friend,

When Saul of Tarsus recognized Jesus as the Messiah, he continued an observance that had taken place for over a thousand years.  It was Passover and, with some exceptions, it was much like the ceremony the Israelites had observed more than a thousand years before.  The differences were those instituted by Jesus Christ when He observed it with His disciples.

Jesus deepened the meaning—He was the Passover Lamb that would shed His blood for mankind.  No animal could fulfill such a role.  Paul gave Christians another concept that may have been an unwritten understanding of traditional participants.  He instructed Christians to put themselves under a microscope, as it were, to look for shortcomings.    “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Self-examination is a trait unique to human beings—and it almost always involves discomfort.  We inevitably find things we don’t like, yet it is the one characteristic successful people force themselves to do.  If a man wants a life of failure and frustration, he should live an unexamined life. Let him continue making the same mistakes over and over and wondering “why” his life is bad.

Almost daily we awake to news of yet another senseless and violent act against innocent people.  Frequently it’s a lone gunman who blames the world for his own unhappiness.  As usual the police say they have no motives for why this act of violence occurred and the news media blames everyone but the psychopath who refused to believe he was responsible for any decision he has ever made.

Psychologist John Rosemond offers understanding about human nature. He writes “For many years, I have contended that good social science research always confirms both Scripture and common sense….”  He goes on to quote social scientist Roy Baumeister who believes that people with “high self-esteem tend to have low self-control, especially when they aren’t getting their way.  They don’t handle defeat or disappointment very well.  Why?  Because people with high self-esteem think they are entitled to always to be the winner.”

He says that people with high self-esteem “tend to lash out, verbally and often physically, at the people they blame for their defeats and disappointments.”    It is interesting to note that Baumeister’s 10-year research revealed that wife abusers, child abusers, people with episodes of road rage and inner-city gang members generally have high self-esteem.

Worse yet, if it could be, studies have shown that the worst of criminals, those confined in maximum-security prisons, score higher on self-esteem tests than any other group.

So why do modern educational methods teach, as Dorothy Corkille Briggs writes, that “high self-esteem…is our best guarantee that a child will make the most fruitful use of his capacities”?

It could be because current academia rejects the Bible.

We’re not playing politics.  When schools reject the Bible, they have thrown out the teachings of Jesus which have been the major civilizing influence in the last 2,000 years.  It was Jesus who taught that “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24)

Self-denial is often at the opposite end of the spectrum from high self-esteem.  Self-gratification can easily become god, and harm to fellow human beings is not considered.  It is narcissism to the extreme.

Jesus blessed those who are “poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” “the meek,” “those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” and those who are reviled and persecuted falsely.  (Matt. 5:3-12)

There is simply no way to square the teachings of Jesus with the belief in high self-esteem.  The teachings of Christ have been proven right every time there is a test.

The best way to improve one’s life is to take Passover. Take an honest look at your life—not the other guy’s—and eliminate those things that aren’t like Christ.

Until next time,

Jim O’Brien