Self Respect
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Definition and Importance
Self-respect is the regard one holds for oneself, characterized by a sense of dignity, honor, and integrity. In a biblical context, self-respect is rooted in recognizing one's value as a creation of God, made in His image (Genesis 1:27). It involves understanding one's worth and living in a manner that reflects the honor due to a child of God.

Biblical Foundations
The Bible emphasizes the inherent worth of every individual, as each person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). This intrinsic value forms the basis for self-respect. The Scriptures encourage believers to live in a way that honors God and reflects His character, which includes maintaining a healthy sense of self-respect.

Key Scriptures
1. Genesis 1:27 · "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This verse underscores the foundational belief that human beings are created in the image of God, which is the ultimate source of their dignity and worth.

2. Psalm 139:14 · "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well." This passage highlights the unique and intentional creation of each individual, affirming their value and the respect they should have for themselves.

3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 · "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This scripture calls believers to respect themselves by recognizing their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, urging them to live in a way that honors God.

4. Romans 12:3 · "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." This verse advises a balanced view of oneself, promoting humility while acknowledging one's God-given worth.

Practical Implications
Self-respect in a biblical sense involves living a life that reflects one's identity in Christ. It means making choices that honor God, treating oneself with dignity, and avoiding actions that degrade or devalue oneself. This includes maintaining moral integrity, pursuing holiness, and engaging in behaviors that reflect one's status as a child of God.

Challenges to Self-Respect
In a fallen world, self-respect can be challenged by sin, societal pressures, and negative self-perceptions. The Bible warns against conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2) and encourages believers to renew their minds and embrace their identity in Christ. Overcoming these challenges involves relying on God's truth and grace to maintain a healthy sense of self-respect.

Role of Community
The Christian community plays a vital role in fostering self-respect among its members. Believers are called to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The church provides a supportive environment where individuals can grow in their understanding of their worth in Christ and learn to live in a way that reflects that value.

Conclusion
While self-respect is a personal attribute, it is deeply connected to one's relationship with God and the community of believers. By understanding and embracing their identity in Christ, individuals can cultivate a healthy sense of self-respect that honors God and reflects His image to the world.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
4100. pisteuo -- to believe, entrust
... Only the context indicates whether 4100 ("believe") is self-serving (without sacred
meaning ... From pistis; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4100.htm - 12k
Strong's Hebrew
5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... deliver, discern, dissemble, estrange, feign self to be another, know, take knowledge
(notice), perceive, regard, (have) respect, behave (make) self strange(-ly ...
/hebrew/5234.htm - 6k

7200. raah -- to see
... up, upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect,
(fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry,
magnify, X needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up ...
/hebrew/5375.htm - 8k

6437. panah -- to turn
... on, X corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard,
(have) respect (to), (re-)turn (aside, away, back, face, self), X right ...
/hebrew/6437.htm - 6k

3045. yada -- to know
... knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man,
mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... 1), receive* (2), remain* (1), repulse* (2), request (1), respect (1), respected ...
er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), + honourable, + impudent ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

Library

Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
... SERMON XI. SELF-RESPECT AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. Psalm 7:8. ... And meanwhile keep up
your self-respect. Try to do your duty. Try to keep your honour bright. ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xi self-respect and self-righteousness.htm

Self-Respect the Voice of God. December 23.
... Self-Respect the Voice of God. December 23. Never hurt any one's self-respect.
Never trample on any soul, though it may be lying ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /self-respect the voice of god.htm

George Borrow
... consequence of this love of the open air and the open country Borrow found in the
gipsies a sense of freedom and independence, and so a self- respect, which he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beeching/george borrow/george borrow.htm

The Value of Life
... murder. To abuse a man with words of contempt denies his worth, breaks down
his self-respect, and robs him of the regard of others. It ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter i the value of.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... "What shall the harvest be?". SELF-RESPECT. Let one result be, a clear impression
in the house that you, the new Curate, are a man of SELF-RESPECT. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

This Liberty vindicated in Respect of Its Original Creation ...
... Chapter VI."This Liberty Vindicated in Respect of Its Original Creation; Suitable ...
so that this very thing"namely, freedom of will and self-command"might ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vi this liberty vindicated in.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (ii. ).
... brief as possible. And the whole interview should be ruled by a heedful
while unobtrusive respect and self-respect. Do not think ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter v the daily walk.htm

Flimsy Garments
... A weakened body, a tyrannous craving, ruined prospects, oftenest poverty and shame,
the loss of self-respect and love; of moral excellences, of tastes for what ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/flimsy garments.htm

The Friends of Jesus
... Men may avoid evil through self-respect, from early training and restraints
of conscience, from temporal prudence or dread of the future. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 3 31-35 the friends of.htm

The Lord's Prayer, iii
... privilege of my descent; I claim the great inheritance of the kinship of God, and
out of my self-distrust and weakness I turn to self-respect and strength ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lxxxii the lords prayer iii.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about being self-centered? | GotQuestions.org

What is self-actualization? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-hatred? | GotQuestions.org

Self: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Ego

Self

Self Abuse

Self Centered

Self Confidence

Self Control

Self Defense

Self Denial

Self Discipline

Self Esteem

Self Examination

Self Gratification

Self Image

Self Respect

Self Righteousness

Self Sacrifice

Self Worth

Related Terms

Self (28 Occurrences)

Self-control (14 Occurrences)

Self-same (17 Occurrences)

Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)

Self-indulgence (4 Occurrences)

Self-surrender

Self-restraint (2 Occurrences)

Self-made (2 Occurrences)

Self-assertive (1 Occurrence)

Self-imposed (1 Occurrence)

Self-confidence (2 Occurrences)

Self-willed (4 Occurrences)

Self-indulgent (3 Occurrences)

Self-conceit (1 Occurrence)

Self-respect (1 Occurrence)

Self-inflicted (2 Occurrences)

Self-abasement (2 Occurrences)

Self-complacency (1 Occurrence)

Self-avenger (2 Occurrences)

Self-discipline (1 Occurrence)

Self-forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)

Self-righteousness

Self-mutilators (1 Occurrence)

Self-seeking (2 Occurrences)

Self-condemned (1 Occurrence)

Self-produced (1 Occurrence)

Self-sown (1 Occurrence)

Self-pleasing (1 Occurrence)

Self-recommendation (1 Occurrence)

Self-exaltation (1 Occurrence)

Self-judged (1 Occurrence)

Self-honoured (1 Occurrence)

Self-congratulations (1 Occurrence)

Self-disparagement (1 Occurrence)

Self-important (1 Occurrence)

Self-respecting (1 Occurrence)

Self-glory (1 Occurrence)

Selfsurrender

Selfcontrol

Profess (9 Occurrences)

Selfwill (2 Occurrences)

Boast (86 Occurrences)

Indulge (12 Occurrences)

Forfeit (12 Occurrences)

Temperate (6 Occurrences)

Temperance (3 Occurrences)

Confidence (103 Occurrences)

Ascetic (1 Occurrence)

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)

Sober (18 Occurrences)

Fool (95 Occurrences)

Plunge (4 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Pride (277 Occurrences)

Address (8 Occurrences)

Selfrighteousness

Sensual (8 Occurrences)

Christian (41 Occurrences)

Elihu (11 Occurrences)

Father (11359 Occurrences)

Selfish (14 Occurrences)

Trinity

Exercise (35 Occurrences)

Folly (68 Occurrences)

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)

Incur (7 Occurrences)

Immortal (3 Occurrences)

Follower (8 Occurrences)

Recollect (3 Occurrences)

Resort (14 Occurrences)

Discharge (30 Occurrences)

Meddle (6 Occurrences)

Boastful (18 Occurrences)

Brag (6 Occurrences)

Continency (1 Occurrence)

Abandon (31 Occurrences)

Abase (7 Occurrences)

Selfsame (18 Occurrences)

Suicide

Self Image
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