Ever since Satan tempted Eve, mankind has been fighting to be God.
When I scroll through "Christian posts" on Pinterest or visit popular Christian websites, I'm regularly disappointed by messages emphasizing our significance and our desires instead of God's significance and desires.
Unfortunately, it is a sign of our times as more and more people are behaving like neo-narcissists* who:
1. Boast about their gifts.
2. Refuse to confess mistakes and won't confess sins.
3. Have no respect for age or experience.
4. Value externals more than character.
5. Blame-shift.
6. Compromise moral values.
But God is looking for people who:
1. "Boast" about knowing Him (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
2. Listen to experience and correction (Proverbs 15:32).
3. Honestly confess their sins (1 John 1:9).
4. Value character (Galatians 5:16-17).
5. Take personal responsibility, repenting of sin (1 John 1:9-10).
6. Refuse to conform to our culture (Romans 12:2).
It's hard to be this kind of person when surrounded by neo-narcissists, but that's the kind of person God is looking for and the kind I want to be.
How about you?
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For more on this subject check out the 1-minute devotion The Pharisees had High Self-Esteem.
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an ebook on Barnes and Noble.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
Amen . Great post. Could this happen to Christians as well?
ReplyDeleteYes, C.D., I fear that there are many neo-narcissists among Christians as well - another reason it can be difficult to identify such characteristics in ourselves. But with God's help we can!
DeleteGail
Amen , Thank you Gail Happy Blessed & Healthy & Prosperous New Year
ReplyDeleteI wish you a wonderful 2016 as well. I know God has all sorts of things planned for us all!
DeleteGail
I so enjoy your One Minute devos. You are a tremendous blessing to me and I mean to tell you more often. I'm sure that many others get blessed by the Lord through you as well and never tell you. THANK YOU for shining the light of Christ so beautifully and boldly!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele. It encourages me to know that Bible Love Notes is a blessing to you.
DeletePlease pray that I will be faithful to write what God wants me to write.
God bless you!
Gail
Hi Gail, great reminder at the beginning of the year to put Christ first in ALL things. God bless
ReplyDeleteTracy
Thanks, Tracy.
DeleteMay God bless you with a wonderful 2016!
Gail
Hi Gail, I know this post is over a year old, but it continues to be prevalent still to this day. I am grateful that I have the ability to study God's word through Precept bible study nearly every day. I also have a wonderful pastor that teaches God's truth, whether we like the truth or not :) If you have time, you can watch one of our sermons at crossroadschurch.net. Right now we are going through a series called Friction. We are going through the book of Daniel. Hope you have a blessed day.
ReplyDeletea very powerful lesson for us all, Gail!
ReplyDelete