EGW against self esteem but for self

respect
 Posted by David Mathew on February 22, 2011 at 8:47am in Sabbath School
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Egw

These definitions as given in Webster’s Dictionary in EGW time courtesy-EGW CD

SELF-CONCEIT, n. [self and conceit.] A high opinion of one's self; vanity.

SELF-CENCEITED, a. Vain; having a high or overweening opinion of one's own

person or merits.

SELF-CONCEITEDNESS, n. Vanity; an overweening opinion of one's own person

or accomplishments.

SELF-ESTEEM, n. [self and esteem.] The esteem or good opinion of one's self.

SELF-ESTIMATION, n. The esteem or good opinion of one's self.

ESTEEM, v.t. [L. estimo; Gr. to honor or esteem.]

1. To set a value on, whether high or low; to estimate; to value.

Then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation.
Deuteronomy 32:15.

They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30.

2. To prize; to set a high value on; to regard with reverence, respect or friendship.
When our minds are not biased, we always esteem the industrious, the generous, the
brave, the virtuous, and the learned.

Will he esteem thy riches? Job 36:19.

3. To hold in opinion; to repute; to think.

One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike.
Romans 14:5.

4. To compare in value; to estimate by proportion. [Little used.]

ESTEEM, n. Estimation; opinion or judgment of merit or demerit. This man is of no

worth in my esteem.
1. High value or estimation; great regard; favorable opinion, founded on supposed
worth.

Both those poets lived in much esteem with good and holy men in orders.

ESTEEMABLE, a. Worthy of esteem; estimable.

ESTEEMED, pp. Valued; estimated; highly valued or prized on account of worth;

thought; held in opinion.

ESTEEMING, ppr. Valuing; estimating; valuing highly; prizing; thinking; deeming.

ESTIMABLE, n. That which is worthy of regard.

ESTIMABLENESS, n. The quality of deserving esteem or regard.

WORTH, n. [G., L. The primary sense is strength.]

1. Value; that quality of a thing which renders it useful, or which will produce an
equivalent good in some other thing. The worth of a days labor may be estimated in
money, or in wheat. The worth of labor is settled between the hirer and the hired. The
worth of commodities is usually the price they will bring in market; but price is not
always worth.

2. Value of mental qualities; excellence; virtue; usefulness; as a man or magistrate of

great worth.

As none but she, who in that court did dwell, could know such worth, or worth
describe so well.

All worth-consists in doing good, and in the disposition by which it is done.

3. Importance; valuable qualities; applied to things; as, these things have since lost
their worth.

WORTH, a.

1. Equal in value to. Silver is scarce worth the labor of digging and refining. In one
country, a days labor is worth a dollar; in another, the same labor is not worth fifty
cents. It is worth while to consider a subject well before we come to a decision.

If your arguments produce no conviction, they are worth nothing to me.

2. Deserving of; in a good or bad sense, but chiefly in a good sense. The castle is
worth defending.

To reign is worth ambition, though in hell.

This is life indeed, life worth preserving.

3. Equal in possessions to; having estate to the value of. Most men are estimated by
their neighbors to be worth more than they are. A man worth a hundred thousand
dollars in the United States, is called rich; but no so in London or Paris.

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Self-respect, another person's, be careful not to wound needlessly GW 122

banish your, no longer TM 520

cherish, firmly and constantly CH 295; MM 143

how to develop, for time of trial and danger MM 107-8

indulgence in sin destroys 6T 53

loss of, language that results in MYP 327

results in lack of respect for others 6T 53

lost, how to restore to man his FE 281

may lead you to avoid appearance of evil SC 58; 2T 136

never forfeit, by hasty and thoughtless words CG 219

persons who have lost, in large degree AH 373

reproved person's, be careful not to destroy MH 167; 7T 265

sacrificing of, do not condescend to 3T 506

secret sin destroys CH 410

self-abuse destroys CG 458; 2T 392

self-support strengthens MH 177

show, in house of God MYP 266

true, persons who have no ML 71

true courtesy teaches Ed 240

what to do to preserve your GW 122

Chapter 12 - Self-respect

Loving Others, Loving Oneself

MANY WOMEN STRUGGLE WITH FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH AND

VALUE IN GOD'S SIGHT. AS IN OTHER PORTIONS OF THIS BOOK, THE
PASSAGES USED MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR OR
TO WOMEN, BUT THEY ARE APPLICABLE TO THEM IN THEIR SEARCH
FOR AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW GOD VIEWS THEM AS HIS CREATION
AND HOW THEY SHOULD VIEW THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. {DG 141.1}

Developing Self-respect.--If we wish to do good to souls, our success with these

souls will be in proportion to their belief in our belief in, and appreciation of, them.
Respect shown to the struggling human soul is the sure means through Christ Jesus of
the restoration of the self-respect the man...--FE, 281 (1893).{DG 141.2}

We Should Respect Ourselves.--The Lord has given every one of us a sense of

self-respect, and this must not be opposed too abruptly. God wants us to respect
ourselves. In our families and in the church, we too often seek to destroy self-respect.
Do not do it...--GCB, Apr. 25, 1901. {DG 141.3}

Not Pleasing to God to Demerit Oneself.-- It is not pleasing to God that you should
demerit yourself. You should cultivate self-respect by living so that you will be
approved by your own conscience, and before men and angels. It is not an evidence of
true humility that you go with your head bowed down, and your heart filled with
thoughts of self. It is your privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before
the law without shame and remorse. "There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
While we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, the Word of
God does not condemn a proper self-respect. As sons and daughters of God, we
should have a conscious dignity of character, in which pride and self-importance have
no part.--RH, Mar. 27, 1888.{DG 142.1}

Counsel to One Who Had Lost Self-respect.--Jesus loves you, and He has given
me a message for you. His great heart of infinite tenderness yearns over you. He sends
you the message that you may recover yourself from the snare of the enemy. You may
regain your self-respect. You may stand where you regard yourself, not as a failure,
but as a conqueror, in and through the uplifting influence of the Spirit of God. Take
hold of the hand of Christ, and do not let it go.--MM 43 (1903).{DG 142.2}

Bitter Words Result in Loss of Self-respect.--What harm is wrought in the family

circle by the utterance of impatient words; for the impatient utterance of one leads
another to retort in the same spirit and manner. Then come words of retaliation, words
of self-justification, and it is by such words that a heavy, galling yoke is manufactured
for your neck; for all these bitter words will come back in a baleful harvest to your
soul. Those who indulge in such language will experience shame, loss of self-respect,
loss of self-confidence, and will have bitter remorse and regret that they allowed
themselves to lose self-control and speak in this way. How much better would it be if
words of this character were never spoken! How much better to have the oil of grace
in the heart, to be able to pass by all provocation, and bear all things with Christlike
meekness and forbearance.--RH, May 19, 1891. {DG 142.3}

Self-respect, Humility, and Efficiency in God's Work.--. You should not place too
low an estimate upon your ability to act your part in the various callings of practical
life. Where you are aware of deficiencies, go to work at once to remedy those defects.
Do not trust to others to supply your deficiencies, while you go on indifferently, as
though it were a matter of course that your peculiar organization must ever remain so.
Apply yourself earnestly to cure these defects, that you may be perfect in Christ Jesus,
wanting in nothing.--3T 505 (1885).{DG 143.1}

Christians Have a Positive Duty to Cultivate Respect for Themselves.--It should

be the fixed purpose of the youth to aim high in all their plans for their life-work.
They should adopt for their government in all things the standard which God's Word
presents. This is the Christian's positive duty, and it should be also his positive
pleasure. Cultivate respect for yourself because you are Christ's purchased
possession. Success in the formation of right habits, advancement in that which is
noble and just, will give you an influence that all will appreciate and value. Live for
something besides self. --YI, Feb. 7, 1901.{DG 143.3}

We need to be self-reliant; it is the duty of all to respect self; but we are to

remember that we are God's property, that we are bought with a price, body, soul, and
spirit. We must guard the living machinery, and keep it in the very best condition, that
we may glorify God. It is to be daily oiled by His grace, to run at His touch, without
friction. To trust in ourselves, to become boastful as if we had created and redeemed
ourselves, is to dishonor God. Human wisdom, aside from God, will prove itself to be
foolishness, and will bring confusion and perplexity.---1888 Materials 1626 (1896).
{DG 144.2}

Respect Self, for You Are Bought With a Price.--This feeling of guiltiness must
be laid at the foot of the cross of Calvary. The sense of sinfulness has poisoned the
springs of life and of true happiness. Now Jesus says, "Lay it all on Me; I will take
your sins. I will give you peace. Banish no longer your self-respect, for I have
bought you with the price of My own blood. You are Mine. Your weakened will I
will strengthen; your remorse for sin I will remove."--9MR 305 (1896). {DG 144.3}

Mind and Character Degraded by Dishonesty.-- He [one who utters falsehood or

practices deception] loses his own self-respect. AH-392

Resistance Is Weakened by Opening the Door.-- Your capital is your character.

Cherish it as you would a golden treasure. Moral purity, self-respect, a strong
power of resistance, must be firmly and constantly cherished.—AH 404

True courtesy is not learned by the mere practice of rules of etiquette. Propriety of
deportment is at all times to be observed; wherever principle is not compromised,
consideration of others will lead to compliance with accepted customs; but true
courtesy requires no sacrifice of principle to conventionality. It ignores caste. It
teaches self-respect, respect for the dignity of man as man, a regard for every
member of the great human brotherhood. {AH 426.2} – AH 426
Watch Tone of Voice As Well As the Words.-- Let not one word of fretfulness,
harshness, or passion escape your lips. The grace of Christ awaits your demand. His
Spirit will take control of your heart and conscience, presiding over your words and
deeds. Never forfeit your self-respect by hasty, thoughtless words.—CG 219

Provide Becoming Garments Appropriate for Age and Station in Life.--My sister,
bind your children to your heart by affection. Give them proper care and attention in
all things. Furnish them with becoming garments, that they may not be mortified by
their appearance, for this would be injurious to their self-respect. . .. {CG
425.2}

If you have formed in any degree the habit of inattention and indifference in the
house of God, exercise the powers you have to correct it, and show that you have
self-respect. Practice reverence until it becomes a part of yourself. {CG 546.3}

He who wishes to preserve his own self-respect must be careful not to wound
needlessly the self-respect of others. This rule should be sacredly observed toward the
dullest, the most blundering.-- Gospel Workers, pp. 121, 122. (1915) {CM 74.1}

Moral purity, self-respect, a strong power of resistance, must be firmly and

constantly cherished. There should not be one departure from reserve; one act of
familiarity, one indiscretion, may jeopardize the soul in opening the door to
temptation, and the power of resistance becomes weakened. 237 {CCh 167.1}

Requiring Obedience

The teacher should bring true self-respect into all that he does. He should not allow
himself to be quick-tempered. He should not punish harshly children that are in need
of reform. Let him understand that self must be kept in subjection….CT 152

He will receive and strengthen and comfort you. He is the great Healer of all
maladies. His great heart of infinite love yearns over you. He sends you the message
that you may recover yourself from the snare of the enemy. You may regain your
self-respect. You may stand where you regard yourself, not as a failure, but as a
conqueror, in and through the uplifting influence of the Spirit of God.--ST, Feb. 14,
1906. {DG 83.4}

Mothers to Encourage Their Children.--Whenever the mother can speak a word of

commendation for the good conduct of her children, she should do so. She
should encourage them by words of approval and looks of love. These will be as
sunshine to the heart of a child and will lead to the cultivation of self-respect and
pride of character.--3T 532 (1875). {DG 194.2}

The young who are not restrained at an early age become their own masters and their
own mistresses. They take the reins in their own hands. They are self-important, self-
conceited, and impetuous, and do not have much taste or ambition for self-respect
or to discipline their mind by close application to anything. They will not be
restrained. They despise school discipline, for they have not been disciplined at home.
. . .{DG 210.1}
Let the older assist the younger, the strong the weak; and, so far as possible, let each
be called upon to do something in which he excels. This will encourage self-respect
and a desire to be useful. {Ed 285.2}

One careless, insubordinate student, who does not cultivate self-respect, who is not
well disposed, and who does not try to do his best, is doing himself great injury. He is
deciding what shall be the tone of his character, and is inducing others to depart from
truth and uprightness, who, if it were not for his pernicious influence, would dare to
be true and noble… {FE 247.1}

RESPECT, v.t. [L. respecto, or respectus, from respicio; re and specio, to view.]

3. To view or consider with some degree of reverence; to esteem as possessed of real

worth.

I always loved and respected Sir William.

4. To look towards.

To respect the person, to suffer the opinion or judgment to be influenced or biased by

a regard to the outward circumstances of a person, to the prejudice of right and equity.

Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor. Leviticus 19:15.

Neither doth God respect any person. 2 Samuel 14:14.

RESPECT, n. [L. respectus.]

1. Regard; attention.

4. Good will; favor.

The Lord had respect to Abel and his offering. Genesis 4:4.

5. Partial regard; undue bias to the prejudice of justice; as the phrase, respect of
persons. 1 Peter 1:17; James 2:1; Proverbs 24:23.

RESPECTABILITY, n. State or quality of being respectable; the state or qualities

which deserve or command respect.

Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth
himself.

Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in
himself alone, and not in another.
IN CONCLUSION ELLEN WHITE IS FOR SELF RESPECT BUT AGAINST SELF
ESTEEM----

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.