Selfies are just one of the ways that our culture today puts focus on the individual. How are we as Christians supposed to combat our self-centered culture?
Preoccupation with “Self”
Our preoccupation with ourselves really isn’t something new. Humans have alway been interested in ourselves and what we are doing. The story of Narcissus from Greek mythology shows that even thousands of years ago people placed a lot of focus on themselves. This story is where we get the word narcissism, which is the idea of the ultimate preoccupation with ourselves. We make everything all about ourselves all of the time. This focus on ourselves is even in the Bible.
Genesis 3:4-7 (NIV) “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
As soon as Adam and Eve ate the fruit and their eyes were opened, they began to focus on themselves. This paved the way for the self-seeking culture we see today.
Worship Is Anything That Takes Our Time, Money, and Attention on a Regular Basis
We can worship anything from education to celebrities. When we place all of our focus on ourselves, we are essentially worshipping ourselves. This breeds and entire culture of self-worship. If you begin to put so much importance in what you are doing or wearing, you become the primary focus in your life. Eventually you will reach a point where you are simply making yourself into an idol. You place yourself on a pedestal high above anything else in your life. This will lead to self-destruction and dissatisfaction.
Focusing on God Brings Ultimate Satisfaction
Only through Christ can we live fulfilling and meaningful lives. If we are placing all of our focus on ourselves, we won’t be able to see the plan God has lain before us. We will continually seek comfort in ourselves, and we will always fall short. Christ is where we find ultimate comfort and satisfaction. Focusing solely on ourselves is not a way to live.
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- How many selfies have you taken this year? What was your motivation in most cases?
- Do you think your generation is more fixated on self than your parents’ generation? What does this look like practically? Explain.
- Read Genesis 3:4-7. How did Adam and Eve begin to focus on themselves after sin entered the world? What are some ways we focus on ourselves today?
- “Worship is anything that we do that takes our time, energy, and attention on a regular basis.” According to this definition, what do you worship?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This topic is adapted from the Manna Media YouTube channel.
