So, what about ESTEEM (which is our sense of worth or value)? Our soul was created with the need for esteem. How does our fallen nature tend to satisfy this esteem need? Typically our fallen nature is to do things that get others to think highly of us. So we work hard to be polite. We work hard to meet or exceed the expectations of others. We work hard to do things that others will find impressive. Some people seek esteem by earning lots of money; some people get advanced degrees or certifications; some people seek important jobs; some people learn to play a sport or a musical instrument really well. Some might work hard to be a good friend, or follow all the rules, or whatever. Notice, none of these things are bad things, but when we do them so others will think better of us, then we are doing it because our fallen nature is leading us. In other words, we are walking in the flesh.

So, how do our esteem needs get met when we are walking by the Spirit? If walking by the flesh tries to get others to value us, then walking by the Spirit meets our esteem needs when we realize and accept that God has given us infinite value through the trading of His Son, Jesus, for us. God values us with the value of the second person of the God-head and all the angels in heaven stand in awe of us because of this value God has assigned to us. He is the holy, eternal, almighty God of the whole universe, so His opinion really does count more than the opinions of all the others in this world. That is how we get esteem from God. God provides us with much greater value than we could ever earn through our own accomplishments.

“and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:6)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1)

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)

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