by Elder Mike Chon

I continue to be amazed as a father how much my children teach me about my own heart and my own weaknesses. Since my oldest son is only five  years old, I have the opportunity to observe how unashamed my children are about themselves, as well as being unconcerned about what others think about them in terms of appearance or popularity. For instance they are proud to be the one that passes gas and announces out loud that they were responsible for that sound as well as the odor that quickly follows. As well they are proud when they are able to pick their noses and pull out a big booger which they proudly show the other siblings as a badge of honor. Even my youngest daughter when I tell her that she is a “big girl” never gets offended by that but instead it encourages her. For some reason as we grow up and reach our late elementary years into middle school we begin to preoccupy ourselves with our self and what others think of us.

As believers we can become self-absorbed with our self and what others think about us. We fall into the trap of believing the lies of this world which teach us to increase our self-esteem, to believe in ourselves, and to be politically correct. When we start to believe in these lies we begin to focus more on our self and less on God and the Scriptures. No matter what the world teaches we must stand firm in the truth of God’s Word that teaches us that we are not to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2). This starts with following Christ’s call for all believers, to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). This call is a call to self-death, not self-belief. We are to do exactly the opposite of what the world teaches us to do. Only when we die to our self can we fully and completely trust in Christ. We don’t look to boost up self-esteem, or self-worth, instead we look to Christ as the One who fulfills, empowers, and gives purpose to our lives. There is nothing in this world, including our accomplishments and self-worth, that can compare to knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior (Phil. 3:8).

The other lie that the world teaches us is to be politically correct. As believers we can become fearful of what others may think of us especially when it comes to speaking about Christ. The Scriptures tell us exactly what others will think when we preach Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:22-23). The message of a Jewish Messiah that came to die on a cross for the sins of this world will be offensive. The only problem is that this is the only message that we are to preach because this is the only message that can save. We are called to be unashamed of the gospel message for it is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16-17). The question is not whether the message will be offensive but whether you are more afraid of what others may think of you than what they will think about the gospel message? My children teach me to be unashamed by the silly things they do and remind me that I can’t be consumed by what others think of me. Instead I am reminded that my life has been crucified with Christ and that I live this life not for myself but for the one that died on my behalf.