Years ago, talk show host Oprah Winfrey said she started rejecting Christian beliefs when she heard that God is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 6:15). She said she couldn't believe in a god who was “jealous of her” (source/ video /video minute 7:50).
He knows what's best for us and wants us to devote ourselves to Him and His purposes, not to false gods. And self-love is a false god:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
It's hard to believe Oprah thinks our perfect, infinite, all-knowing, glorious God envies her.
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:3
When we focus on ourselves, we don't understand God's incredible grace because we don't understand our incredible sinfulness and desperate need for a Savior. Instead of being humbled by God's undeserved love for us, we're emboldened by our unreasonable love for ourselves.
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:3
When we focus on ourselves, we don't understand God's incredible grace because we don't understand our incredible sinfulness and desperate need for a Savior. Instead of being humbled by God's undeserved love for us, we're emboldened by our unreasonable love for ourselves.
Let's pray for Oprah and others like her.
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And check out Lies in Disguise, a book that can help you better understand the way self-love is damaging church and culture and how to combat it with Scripture: Full description of the book, Lies in Disguise.
And if you're a Bible Love Notes subscriber, you can get a free PDF study guide for Lies in Disguise. Find out more HERE.
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It is too bad Oprah didn't read the verses surrounding Deuteronomy 6:15. If she had she would realize that God is not jealous of us, but is jealous of the time we waster worshiping other "gods". Someone with such great influence could have done so much in furthering the gospel if they had "rightly divided the Word of God".
ReplyDeleteWas it oprah?
ReplyDeleteyes. If you click the link in the words "well-known celebrity" you can read more about it.
DeleteThe Lord is very Jealous for us. It is the same way a man is jealous for his wife and vice versa. We should be committed and faithful to God because he is committed and faithful to us. Thank you so much. I read the love notes often and this is my first response.
ReplyDeleteYes, Terry. You're right.
DeleteI'm so glad you are a regular reader.