SELF-IMAGE
Definition:
Self-image is the idea, conception, or mental image one has of oneself.
Brief Explanation:
As stated in the definition, self-concept or self-image is the idea, conception, or mental image one has of oneself. Every person has an image or belief about one’s goodness or badness. For example, as stated under humility, a humble person is not merely self-effacing. He or she is a person with an honest appraisal of themselves in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. They have learned to accept themselves as they are, without accepting sin or a weakness that may be overcome. As was noted above, Jesus was the meekest of all, having a quiet strength of character; he was also humble, in that he rightly knew who he was, and who he wasn’t, and what he was called to do.
Self-concept is developed in most people early in life, and is made up of the various experiences, good and bad that the person has had. Whether a person has a positive or negative self-image is often determined by how the person evaluates their life experience…positive or negative. Further, as stated under pride, there are people who do think a bit more highly than they should of themselves and others who are not nearly as aware as they should be of the unique and special person they are.
Having a realistic appraisal of oneself is key to a healthy self-concept, which is necessary to approach life with faith and hope. If a person devalues themselves, not seeing clearly that they are precious to the Lord, created in His image and likeness, or if they overvalue themselves, thinking that they are better than others, a wrong self-concept and ultimate self-esteem will be skewed. A counselor must help the suffering saint to see themselves in light of God’s word, not based upon others appraisal or even their own.
The Word of God:
Genesis 1:26-28
“And God said, let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all of the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth. And God created the man in His own image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female. And God blessed them; and God said to them, be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, and over birds of the heavens, and over all beasts creeping on the earth.”
Philippians 2:5-8
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Proverbs 15:33
“The fear of the Lord is instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.”
Matthew 18:4
“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
James 4:6
“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:6
“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
Proverbs 16:18, 19
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
1 John 2:16
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
2 Samuel 18:18
“Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar which is in the King’s Valley, for the said “I have no son to preserve my name.” So, he named the pillar after his own name, and is called Absalom’s monument to this day.”
