Mans disobedience creates these problems
| Posted On: 05/04/08 12:39:03 PM |
Age 44, MI |
Although I agree that mans doctrine of self-esteem is opposed to God, one might consider how their own actions have contributed to this problem.
Question #1: What vehicle does God use in this dispensaton of the Church to fulfill His purposes? Answer: The Church.
Question #2: What mechanism has man used to replace God's vehicle? Answer: Organizations.
It follows where man is discontent with God's ways, his best intentions lead him to create his own vehicle to solve the dilemma. Whether it's called Focus on the Family or Christian Worldview Network each of these organizations lead people away from God's true calling for individual Christians and His Church. All these organizations center around "men" not Christ and those mens goals and beliefs. Whether they are called "Christian" or not doesn't matter. They simply are not or were never God's method for exemplifying Christ before a dying world. If any man sanctions either an organization of any kind by participation or financially they are demeaning if not outright disbelieving God's manner of exhibiting Himself through the Church. The exaltation of these men at the expense of Christ's preminence is all too obvious. As such, people follow them, their doctrines, pet projects and attempt to force morality upon a wicked generation and world. It simply cannot be done.
Fear not though. When God, yes God allows the non-profit status of all religious organizations to be abolished as a result of the aims of wicked men, then finally a true hope for a return to our Lord's intention and purpose might be realized. That is unless so-called believers continue to attempt to out smart and out think the one they call their Father.
A spiritual war cannot be fought with worldly methodologies from men. There is a reason Jesus said the gates of hell wouldn't prevail against His Church. His Church is heavenly. As such, the gates of hell have never, will never and are not presently prevailing against it. Needless to say, only those participating in a heavenly Church know this to be true as they witness the best intentions of mans church and religion being dismantled daily. Amen and Amen.
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Ravi Zacharias
| Posted On: 05/03/08 04:16:53 PM |
Age 38, VA |
I totally disagree with your inclusion of R. Zacharias in your msg. Though he is friends with Dobson and has spoke at some of his conferences, I haven't heard him or read where he did not talk about the depravitey of man. I have a few of his books and several audio messages.
Dobson has also played msgs. from John McArthur on his show, who is totally against any self-esteem preaching etc..
We should be cautious how we throw peoples names around! But we should also confont error.
Joe
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You are right, Pastor Paul!
| Posted On: 05/01/08 10:36:36 PM |
Age 49, NY |
Hi Pastor Paul, excellent article! Self-love is evident in our self-absorption, and "hating ourselves" actually exposes our self-love because our focus is on ourself, not others. For years I believed I suffered from low self-esteem because that's what I was told by psychotherapists, but after I was saved I realized I had no lack of self-esteem at all -- what I lacked was other-esteem! I think many therapists confuse low self-esteem with our angry reaction to attacks on the self by others. If we did not already love ourselves, we would not react with anger to attacks on our self-esteem because we would simply agree with the assessment that we are worthless. It's only because we believe in our self-worth that we react angrily. Years of abuse can certainly make us angry, and it's entirely possible that we may direct that rage toward ourselves rather than toward others for various reasons -- but the fact that we are angry, hurt, discouraged, or depressed is evidence that we do indeed love ourselves enough to care about our feelings.
Bonnie B.
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- Amen
| Posted On: 05/02/08 02:49:19 PM | | Age 47, IA |
You've hit the nail right on the head. I,ve never met someone who was supposedly suffering from low self-esteem who did not get angry when someone mistreated them. In fact these people usually react moreso than someone else. Why? Because they care about themselves. I believe you are 100% right. The problem isn't loving oneself too little, it is loving oneself way too much!
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Sad but true
| Posted On: 05/01/08 09:37:52 PM |
Age 42, PA |
For the past 16 or so years the Lord has continually shown me thru His word that what you say about Dobson and his ministry is true. I don't doubt the motives or hearts of Dobson and his co-workers, but that doesn't mean I believe what they teach. We American Christians have become very sentimental, wishy-washy, wind-blown, shallow people who quickly follow the newest fads and teachings, while denying God and his word. All too often we accept one's teaching based upon his credentials or reputation, rather than tsting it against God's holy word. The whole lie of not being able to love others without loving one's self is a demonic twist of Jesus' words. Our Lord knows that we naturally love ourselves by caring for ourself, being sad for ourselves when hurt or injured, feeding ourselves when hungry. O Lord deliver us from such foolishness that tells us we are not sinners, but rather "injured" or "hurt" people. Most of us, if we will face the truth, know that we are the ones who do most of the hurting. Who among us has not sinned greatly against the Lord of the univers? Who among us has any right to not forgive someone for any sin committed against us, whether it be a harsh word or even something more cruel? I know that I would be lost without Christ. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. His amazing grace saved a wretch like me, like Paul, like all of us. Please dear brothers and sisters, let us turn to the One who alone can deliver us from sin and self love.
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Dobson's Law?
| Posted On: 05/01/08 03:14:34 PM |
Age 58, MT |
I certainly prefer God's law to Dobson's Law. However, since I am not perfect, I choose to pray for Dr. and Shirley Dobson even as I disagree with their assement of Robert Schuller's work. Jesus prayed that we would be in unity with each other and with God which is not possible if we attack on another. Error MUST be exposed but with loving gentleness and humility. Is it not the Lord's business to correct and discipline? I know He has yanked me back on track more than once,
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Broods Of Vipers
| Posted On: 05/01/08 11:25:44 AM |
Age 51, GA |
Litterally, the exact same demonic spirits that operated through willing religious "leaders" 2,000 years ago, continue their evil mission through the willing Dobsons, Zacharias', Schullers, Warrens, Hybels... Just as their holier-than-thou forefathers, they have no defense against these demonic spirits as long as they partake of their (religious demons) deadly shortcuts. Also, just as their fathers, they go unchallenged because we equate it to blasphemy to even question their wisdom, works and spiritual insight. The same way that they were offended by the Rock of Offense 2,000 years ago, so are our current holy men. "Surely Jesus will understand that we can't mention His holy name as we pray to His own Father. How can we teach them about Him if He keeps offending them with all of that Bloody cross talk?". The untouchable veil that has hidden the true identity of these self-serving "scribes and pherisees" is being pulled back. What an obvious sign of the times. Jesus will once again come against this "brood of vipers" that "kill the prophets" and He'll reveal what's in these "whitewashed tombs" if we who are NOT impressed by their "ministries", will allow Him (Jesus) to do it through us. Paul asked us to imitate him. He was told not to speak that name too. We need to be honest with ourselves as to who these religious men imitate. They wouldn't know Jesus if He came in and upset their tables full of books, cd's and trinkets. Without sacrifice there is STILL no remission of sin.
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Dobson Understands the Biblical Importance of Self-Esteem
| Posted On: 05/01/08 11:06:00 AM |
Age 48, OK |
Well, you may have forgotten what it is like to be a junior high kid, going to school with certain mean spirited kids who try to make themselves look “cool” by putting unsuspecting souls down. Kids who know who they are in Christ Jesus are much less susceptible to those demeaning words or actions. Their self-esteem comes from the knowledge that the God of the universe has sent his son to die for their sins. How special is that! They mean something to God! Some bully’s mean put downs and the subsequent laughter of those nearby do not carry the weight they would if they did not have this wonderful knowledge. Remember these song lyrics, “...I’m not cool, that’s okay. My God loves me anyway. I’m not cool, that’s all right, I’m still precious in his sight...” ? Even those doing the bullying would find it unnecessary to marginalize others in an attempt to build their own self-esteem if they got their self-esteem from the knowledge of just how important they are to God, instead of at the expense of others. Imagine if this dynamic had been at work at Columbine or in the soul of the young man who committed the massacre at Virginia Tech. This is not some narcissistic self-love Dr. Dobson is espousing, but a love of who you are in Christ, who he made you to be, no matter what the world or others are telling you. How can we fulfill Christ’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves if we don’t love ourselves? You can’t give something you don’t possess.
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- The Power of God unto salvation
| Posted On: 05/02/08 02:01:44 PM | | Age 47, IA |
Preaching to someone about the benefits of being in Christ is not preaching the Gospel. It is preaching the fruit of The Gospel, which is not the Gospel. Christ and Him Crucified is the Gospel. He is the focus. Who He is. What He has done for us. The Gospel is not about you and it's not about me. And yet, it is our only hope. It is the truth of the Gospel message that brings our real problems clearly into focus. That being SIN. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves. Adam and Eve did. They desired to have that feeling about themselves entirely independent and seperate from God. That's rebellion and that's no different from someone needing more self-esteem in order to feel good about themselves. They are so self absorbed that they are going into slef-pity because they don't feel good about themselves. We need to get over ourselves(die to self) and be sorry to God. If self-esteem was what we needed then we are our own saviors. But this isn't the case. You are right about one thing, we certainly can't give something we don't possess and Jesus certainly wouldn't ask us to attempt to. He knows we love ourselves more than anything else and that's why he asked us to love our neighbors like that. The loving our neighbors part is impossible outside of being in Him, but not the loving of ourselves. The pathological self-pity that some people mistake for a lack of self love or self esteem is really a by product of an even more exagerated desire to love self even more. Preachers of the Gospel point people to Christ, not to some excuse for their own self-pity and sinfulness.
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- Love yourselves
| Posted On: 05/01/08 09:35:43 PM | | Age 42, CO |
We already love ourselves. God doesn't want us to love ourselves any more. When Jesus told us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, He said this with the knowlegde that we already esteem ourselves above others. We are to love ourselves less (die to self) and love others more.
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Philosophical?
| Posted On: 05/01/08 09:39:33 AM |
Age 49, MT |
The weapons of our warfare is philosophical? Where, exactly, is such a concept found in Scripture? The Greek word translated "powerful" is "dunatos." This is spiritual power, not the power to argue philosophy.
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please with-hold name
| Posted On: 05/01/08 09:31:58 AM |
Age 58, KY |
Today I am a child of God and a pastor. God is gracious, full of mercy and Love. I am one of the millions James Dobson has ministered to for I had a real issue with my own self-esteem even to the point of self hate. I was sexually abused as a child, am the son of an abusive alocholic father. enough said there; I simply did not know how to love. Not my self, not others, nor God. It is through the Love of my Heavenly Father bestowed on me that I discovered I am loved, and so can love others without being myself abusive or manipulative. -A theme ofetn given on the Dobson program. Jesus told me to love other as I love myself. that was difficult because I didn't love myself. I read Jesus' summary of the commandments saying to Love God with all my heart, mind, Soul, and strength. That was a choice I had to learn I could make. Learning I could LOVE God, Jesus said I could, because He first loved me, I discovered God would gladly receive my Love and rewarded me with the awareness of my own God Given self worth channeled through my own repentance and seeking forgiveness from Him by way of His cross. In Jesus I am no longer condemed but treasured. Praise HIM! Wow, I could even love myself; finally. And as Jesus would have it, leanning to Love Him, I found respect for myself and a deep love for my brothers and sisters in Christ who together make up the Bride of Christ. I am even somehow able to love my enemies as much as is possible. (Not something that comes naturally at all, but because Jesus loves through me.) -as His Child you too understand what it is to love even the enemy that we might win some.
For some 25 years I have heard James Dobson and his guest explain this truth made possibe only through a relationship with Jesus Christ and I give my Thanks continually before God for men and women of faith who reminds us as children of God we can love ourselves in a healthy un-idolitarous way that pleases God, for God is the author of whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. There may be false teachers infiltrated into the church in wolves clothing but we will know them by their LOVE or lack of it. How well are you revealing Your God-Given Love?
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- You are right on
| Posted On: 05/05/08 12:25:26 PM | | Age 42, MN |
Exposing false doctrine is one thing. Throwing names around, in a hyteria fueling manner in not Christian at all.
Self esteem is something I lacked for many years growing up. I was not abused, but simply a skinny kid that was bullied and picked on. The self-esteem that I lacked was the ability to see worth in me AT ALL. Once I discovered who I was in Christ, only then was I able to begin loving myself as one of God's amazing creations. And only then was I able to claim my value, not outside of God, but within his creation and love for me.
The term "self esteem" can have different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used.
Try telling your 5-year old over and over that he is a depraved, evil sinner and see how much he grows up to develop into a productive member of society. It's alosing situation.
Instead, tell him how much you love him, regardless of how smart or skinny he is, regardless of the test he didn't pass at school, regardless of his accomplishments. Teach him about your own unconditional love for him, not for what he DOES, but for who he IS. Then, as he grows, and you tell him about God's amazing, infinite love, will he understand his own sinful nature and need for a Savior.
Self esteem is NOT total reliance on one's self for salvation. It is the understanding that you are so valuable to God, that he would let his only son, Jesus, suffer a horrible death to save him from is sins.
"You mean that I'm worth THAT MUCH to God?"
"Yes, you ARE son. You are so valuable to him that God gave it all to bring you back into a relationship with him."
"Thanks Dad."
"I love you, son."
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- MY SELF ESTEEM - JESUS LOVES ME
| Posted On: 05/08/08 02:34:51 AM | | Age 64, OH |
You are so correct, self esteem means many things to different people. I used to have very poor self esteem also. It took me many years to learn what the Lord Jesus was trying to teach me. I was valuable enough for Him to leave heaven and lower Himself a little lower than the angels to become The Man to save me. I know now I was not valuable because I was righteous but just because he loved me. I rest in that fact. Lou
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THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
| Posted On: 05/01/08 09:16:15 AM |
Age 64, OH |
Paul, you see a problem in the church and I commend you for making an effort to do something about it. You say;In your 1st paragraph, -- but philosophical—in the realm of ideas. Therefore, the weapons used to pull down the mental prisons that enslave people must also be philosophical. That is, they must be in the form of spiritual teachings, ideas, concepts, theories, and principles. By consistently teaching the sufficiency of Jesus Christ and the application of His Word to every area of life, we destroy speculations, or reasonings or thoughts. We must actively oppose ideologies that glorify man rather than Christ. We must combat every lofty thing, every arrogant obstacle which Satan, the deceiver, uses to keep people from fullest devotion to Jesus. We must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. There is only one sure way to do that. We must judge every teaching by the standard of the written Word of Christ. We must test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). As we do so, those we minister to will grow to maturity and have their senses trained to discern good and evil (Heb. 5:14). We must also be ready to call those who promote false teachings to account for the error of their disobedience. David Wells’ assessment of the current state of the church is correct: “many in the Church have now turned in upon themselves and substituted for the knowledge of God a search for the knowledge of self.”-- Paul I think you have missed the whole point to the scripture you quote in the start. WE ARE TO USE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS NOT CARNAL WEAPONS. Carnal weapons come from us or our being; spiritual weapons come from the Holy Spirit. You continually say WE must do this or that. That is the whole problem, it is men acting that has brought the church to where it is. We are evil are we not. Our most righteous deeds are as filthy rags, so what can we do that is good. But we serve One who is totally Righteous and he can do no evil. That is why the scriptures say THE SONS OF GOD ARE THOSE THAT WALK IN THE SPIRIT. We are to follow the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ and not our own thoughts or words or deeds. If we act even what we think is right by the scriptures we will do evil. If we are involved it will be evil. We have to surrender to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to take over our lives and He will. It has to be The Holy Spirit that speaks through us not what we think we have learned. He has to speak through our lips and speak His words and not ours. We can not pull down any strong hold of the Devil. The Devil is much stronger, smarter than we. Our only hope is the Lord Jesus Christ. If we ask Him, he will act and speak through us. This is how the prophets of old acted and also the apostles. We can tell when we are walking in the Spirit and not of ourselves. We will speak words that we did not even know and it comes out of our mouth we will say "that is really good". We will do miracles, but it will be him and not us, when we follow the Spirit and not ourselves. When we follow the Holy Spirit, He will turn the world upside down. Lou
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- If we are involved it will be evil
| Posted On: 12/30/08 04:40:28 PM | | Age 46, TX |
The bible says to put on the whole armor of God--to 'put on'is a verb,and why put on armor if we are not expected to use it? James 4:7 says to 'resist the devil and he will flee from you'-does that sound like he is stronger than we who are walking with the power of the living God?What about luke 10:19'I have given YOU authority to trample on snakes and scorpions,and to overcome all the power of the enemy,and nothing shall by any means hurt you.'that is REAL AUTHORITY we need to apply with our REAL SPIRITUAL ARMOR to use against a REAL ENEMY who is no stronger than we ourselves make him out to be.God has given US the authority and ability in Christ Jesus to work against evil in His name.It is part of our testimony.The first Christians did not fight as in with guns and killing, but by the 'word of their testimony and the power of His name'.They confronted wrong biblical teaching in Rome and elsewhere, and condemned publicly false doctrine-we should do the same.
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