Esteem Others

Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. Esteem others. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians two three. In this verse, Paul challenged us to refrain from any strife or vainglory, words that seem a bit stern in the colloquial terms of our day.

Eritheia is the Greek word for strife, a contentious political maneuvering for greater power. Vainglory is similar. It comes from the Greek word kinedoxia, an empty pride or groundless glory. Both are rather unpleasant descriptions of the foolish and sinful human behavior that is seen all too often among God's people. Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.

On the contrary, we are challenged to esteem the others in our fellowship as better than ourselves. The precise words in this instruction insist that we are to use deliberate and careful judgment in our evaluation of others in our relationships as being more excellent than what we have thought of ourselves.

Now that goes against most of what we have been taught in our Western educational systems. Self-esteem is de rigueur of our schools, songs, movies, and television programs. In fact, positive thinking and prosperity thinking are very little more than self-esteem dressed up in religious terms. In the biblical body analogy, we are told that those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor. God has given more abundant honor to that part which lacked.

God thinks differently. We are told to think of each other like God thinks. Uh If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit ICR.

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