I have a theory that our problems of self-esteem, lack of confidence, anxiety, and probably a lot of other internal conflicts are caused by not dying to self.

What I mean is, I think the more we allow our minds to think upon ourselves, internally thinking about what we lack or what’s troubling us or what’s wrong with us or why can’t I fit in or feel a sense of peace or belonging, the more we drift away from proper thinking.

I titled these thoughts “Dying to Self” because real life begins after we die to self and live in Christ and for others. The antidote for feeling depressed and down sighted is to fix our eyes on the Lord and live for Him.

Here are three Bible verses that teach this concept of dying to yourself:

1. Romans 6:11 — “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
2. Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (NIV).
3. 1 Peter 1:23 —  “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (NIV).

When I consider dying to self and these verses, I think dying to self means that we stop looking within ourselves for answers, solutions, and corrective behavior. Instead, we first examine the Scriptures to see what it may say regarding the issue or topic at hand.

I would encourage everyone to choose the Bible as the standard and authority of our lives and to redirect our behaviors in accordance to what Scripture teaches. When we do this, we eliminate the internal conflict that often exists when we are self-absorbed.

We all need to come to a point in our life when we make a decision as to who or what is going to be our standard of truth. Some decide that their religion is the standard, some decide that their church is the standard, but I believe that the Bible is the only standard of truth and our need is to die to self and live according to God’s Word.

In short, live by faith and not by self.