Pride and Self EsteemSample

Pride and Self-Esteem – Day 2

Pride is so dangerous that those who carry it often don’t even notice it. Like bad breath, everyone around can smell it, except the person themselves. The Bible warns us that pride hardens the heart and distances us from God. On the other hand, humility is revealed in love, service, and in how we see ourselves through Christ.

Question and Answer

Why is it dangerous to base our self-esteem only on our own achievements?
Because it distances us from Jesus, makes us unapproachable to others, and prevents us from seeing life from God’s perspective. True humility comes from knowing who we are in Christ and loving as He loved.

Reflection

In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul calls us to have the same mindset as Christ, who, though fully aware of His identity, humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross. Jesus did not deny who He was, but lived in perfect humility, expressed in love and service.

When our self-esteem is rooted in our performance, we build barriers: “I’m better because I do more, I know more, I’ve achieved more.” This is not humility, it’s pride in disguise. The result is that we fail to love well and to reflect God’s heart.

Ask yourself: Is my confidence based on my own achievements, or on the finished work of Christ?

Response/Application

As believers, we are called not to live in self-confidence, but in Christ-confidence. Recognizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5) leads us into true dependence, humility, and the freedom to love without limits.

Today, pause before God and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where your self-esteem is still rooted in yourself. Let the cross be the foundation of your identity, and allow Christ to be your confidence.

Suggested Action

• Read Philippians 2:5-8, John 15:5, and Proverbs 16:18.
• Pray and ask God to show you if your self-confidence is hindering your dependence on Him.
• Write down areas of your life where you still rely on yourself and surrender them to Christ in prayer.