How far must we go to prove the height of our narcissism?
I am mortified at humanity, and then I remember myself. I may not take "selfies" but I can not hide from my own sins.
LORD, praising You for Your mercies and for Your Word which is readily available to remind us who we are and who we can be in You.
"...all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."
1 Peter 5:5-9
“...God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you...."
James 4
"...Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others....So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain..."
Philippians 2
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2 comments:
Hi Jill,
Ok, this "selfie" thing, I just don't get. People running around taking photos of themselves. Forget Narcissus and his reflection in his pond... we now have our "reflection" on our cell phone? I guess it's a portable pond, that we can carry in our own pockets.
I take pictures. But not of myself. I don't even like when other people take pictures of me!
Like you, I understand we all have besetting sin, irrespective of selfies. I am definitely not sinless (1 John 1:8-10), and do take my sins to the Lord just as the word says in verse 9.
However, it just seems that social media has just opened the floodgates for an epidemic of narcissism. Between facebook, youtube, twitter, pinterest, instagram, etc, and the endless supply of mobile devices that people use for selfie procurement and promotion, what's there left to say? Everyone is a "star" now of their own little universe. This includes, sadly, many Christians.
Yes, I know those mediums can be used for good, even righteous, things. But it seems they are more often becoming a vehicle for sinful flesh.
The verses you posted are balm to the soul.
Thanks.
-Carolyn
Thank you for your comment, Carolyn. Your analogy of Narcissus and his reflection in the pond is so appropriate.
Yes, this "all about me" phenomenon in our culture, as if each person is on a pedestal, is outrageous to say the least.
Another aspect of the "self culture" is the rage to have your DNA tested to find out "all about you". Genealogy is one thing, but something is just not right the way I see this fad unfolding now.
Come Quickly Lord Jesus!
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