December 18, 2003

Culture has always been in direct conflict with Christ. The influence of culture on Christians has brought the church to its knees time and again. (Read First Corinthians.) Culture exerts its influence by diluting the gospel and spiritual growth to the point that Christianity becomes extinct. Go to Asia Minor today where the “Seven churches of Asia,” addressed in the book of Revelation, thrived and you will find almost no remnants of the Christian communities that were once there. Extinction doesn’t happen in one bold swoop, but rather by years and years of slowly convincing Christians that spiritual values are not important.

Astute students realize that the roots of the problem are “narcissistic.” The dictionary defines narcissism as “inordinate absorption in oneself.” When Christians choose to put what they want above what God and their fellow Christians want, they deny Christ and become self-serving. Usually their thought pattern takes on one of two or three forms. These Christians may justify their unchristian action by saying, “I know God wants me to be happy so He won’t mind if I”…do whatever their chosen action is. Others will say, “I feel compelled to do…(whatever they want to do) and my fellow Christians must allow that because it is what I want.” These individuals even go so far as to claim their actions are their freedom in Christ, while forgetting their responsibility to the unity of the church and love.

The narcissist places his desire above everyone else, and in the end, even above God’s will and commands. In today’s culture we must all remind ourselves often that the Lord taught, “Deny yourself,” and put others’ needs and desires before our own. Don’t think you are better, more intelligent, more knowledgeable, or more talented then your fellow Christians, but “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord.” It’s hard to keep that in mind when your culture is saying, “Get all you can get”, “Look out for number one”, and “I did it my way”. But we can’t be like Christ and live by those logos. Remember He Cares.

William E. "Bill" McDonough, Director
Partners In Progress
Phnom Penh, Cambodia