Self-Worship

Let’s be honest now…Have you ever found yourself glancing in the mirror, admiring your own reflection? Have you delighted in editing innumerable “selfies”, modifying them with filters, then eagerly posting them on social media? Do you ever look at your body with satisfaction after a strenuous workout? In the past, I too have been guilty of admiring myself.

Do you ever wonder if all this self-absorption is healthy?

Well, it isn’t…and deep down we know it. When Jesus Christ told us to love ourselves, he did not mean superficially. There is a serious danger that comes with the misrepresentation of his words. With too much self-attention, we become our own idols. Idol worship is strictly forbidden by The Bible.

When we place excessive emphasis on our looks, or our status in society, we succumb to a worldly mindset. The Bible tells us to be concerned with things above, not below:

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

The Lepers of Jesus’ time were hideously deformed, yet without hesitation, Jesus reached out to these outcasts with love. Their appearance mattered little to him. In contrast, Jesus had harsh words for those who thought highly of themselves. In fact, Jesus judged severely the Scribes and Pharisees who held themselves in high esteem:

Luke 20:46 KJV 

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

It feels good to look good. There is no inherent harm in that. However, when we become vain and obsessed by our appearance or position in society, instead of pursuing a godly mindset, we distance ourselves from God.

He deserves the worship, not ourselves.

-Melanie DiLeo