By Ann Weaver.
As was pointed out in a sermon I heard recently, it seems like almost everything these days is centered on what a single person can gain. Smartphones are designed for one person to use. Microwave dinners are typically single-serve. Earbuds keep your music to yourself. Social media promotes the idea of selfies and photos about your day. Store pickup and delivery services ensure you can stay in your vehicle or home and get what you need without interacting with anyone other than affirming your name. Everything is so individualized that you can live your life completely isolated, paying no attention to anyone if you’d prefer that.
Not only that, but we’re constantly bombarded with “self” terms: self-care, self-esteem, self-love, self-image, self-help, etc. We’re encouraged to take care of ourselves, to accept and love ourselves, and to ignore common sense in order to follow our hearts, regardless of the wisdom of others. We’re told to dress how we want, read what we want, and listen to what we want. We’re exhorted to remind ourselves that we are enough, that we matter, and that the world wouldn’t be the same without us. In short, we’re told to put ourselves first and leave everyone else behind unless they fully agree with us.
As Christians, we must reject this poisonous teaching and compare it to the truth of Scripture. The world tells us that if we hold our heads up high and do what feels best to us, we’re doing the right thing. That we’re our own highest authority. That we are beautiful, smart, strong, and enough. That we don’t need anyone else to decide what’s best for us, and that we should live for ourselves—because no one else will care about us if we don’t. (See Judges 21:25 for similar times.)
But this teaching is directly against the teaching of the Bible. The Word teaches us that we are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). That we must submit to the Lord and allow Him to guide us in the ways He has ordained for us to go. (Proverbs 3:5-6) That He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1),He is the highest authority, and only He is enough. God is in control, He loves us, and He knows what’s best for us.
Though the world teaches us to love ourselves, we also know the Bible doesn’t command that. However, the opposite of self-love is not self-hate. It’s not despising or neglecting ourselves, as the world often seems to believe when Christians say not to love ourselves. Because the issue isn’t that we’re not supposed to love ourselves. It’s that we love ourselves too much. Each of the “self” terms mentioned above revolves around what a person thinks of themselves—of their body image, their own worth, whether they’re lovable, etc. This constant focus on self leaves little or no time to consider the thoughts, feelings, needs, and concerns of others or to ponder the things of the Lord. Before long, all things begin to be viewed from the lens of how everything can serve themselves, including situations, people, and even God.
As the pastor said in that sermon, the way to correct our wrong thinking is by shifting our focus outward and upward. Or, as I would say, by focusing on God and on others rather than on how we appear, act, or feel. In everything we do, we should be asking what God wants and how we can uphold His glory.
As we battle the popular urge to think of ourselves too highly, we can take comfort in the knowledge that we are loved by God. We are valued by Him. We are not nothing, but we are not enough. And that is a beautiful comfort. Because when we realize we aren’t enough, we can see that God is. And in that, we can give thanks and worship Him, fixing our thoughts on Him and the things He wants us to focus on.
“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
This is so good! Self-love culture is really so unchristian when you examine it!
ReplyDelete