Self Esteem, Self Destruction

(Proverbs 15:32 KJV)  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

This brings a different perspective to the search for self esteem.  Once again the teaching of the Bible is directly opposed to the teaching of our culture.  The person who hates himself “refuseth” (neglects NASB) (6544a) “instruction” (discipline NASB) (4148).  The NASB is much better on this.  The idea is to pay no attention to something.  In Proverbs 13:18 we see the same combination.  There the results are poverty and shame. 

“Instruction” (discipline NASB) (4148) has to do with being corrected when you are wrong.  It is an important part of the personality that God wants us to have.  We need to be open to correction.  If we are not we are on the path to self destruction, which might be a synonym for the world’s understanding of self esteem.

So?  When someone tries to correct you and you start to get irritated, be aware that the irritation could be a form of spiritual pain that is trying to tell you something is wrong and needs to be treated.  Grow up.  Grow.