Personal Pronouns: Self-Absorption’s Antidote
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:24-25 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit... For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:1,13 (NKJV)
I die daily.
1 Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV)
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30 (NKJV)
I believe 'Generation Me' fever has seeped into the American church, It’s a pandemic of self-absorption. How?
Media’s rise fostered narcissism’s rise in a symbiotic three-fold assault:
Shows glamorizing themes of selfishness.
Stars flaunting their looks and wealthy lifestyles.
Ads pushing vain and frivolous products.
The result? Unguarded ears, eyes, and hearts deluged by entertaining narcissism.
How? The father of lies dresses up nicely, and his messengers dress up nicely, too.
The result? Some media-drenched saints started to think… that the good life comes through the king of bling, rather than through the King of kings, Jesus!
The result? Mega churches with lavish productions, special effects, and exciting preachers.*
But is this how THE Preacher lived or taught? And aren’t we called to follow THE Leader? I believe…
Talking Christ-talk without walking Christ’s walk is more harmful than an atomic bomb.
Why? Everyone dies, but where will they go next?
So what’s the cure for deadly narcissism?
The final fruit of the Holy Spirit: SELF-CONTROL!** Because a faith walk requires exercise, and exercise requires self-discipline.
What are disciples without discipline? Occasional Christians one day a week?
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: As your King’s Communication Task Force, discipline yourselves like elite soldiers. Because now is your time to rise and shine!
Only through you dying to selfishness… can narcissism be put under your feet. Therein, Christ and Christ-powered self-control carry the cure for Generation Me!
Personal Pronouns: I, Me, My (Part 2)
* I don’t condemn any company or church in specific, but a culture of poor witness in general. In America, followers of Christ are called to lead the world through the media we export… by examples of excellence, as reflections of Christ. Only God can show us how to be in this world, but not of it. Miraculously, Jesus leads His stars on this narrow path… up HIs airwaves and onto screens.
** 'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires' (Galatians 5:22-24).
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.