Self-forgetfulness and self-infatuation

In the Bible, we are often told be humble. We’re often warned to steer clear of pride. So here’s a helpful way to think about the difference between the two. 

It’s the difference between self-forgetfulness and self-infatuation. 

Self-forgetfulness isn’t about being self-deprecating. Nor is it about beating yourself up. It’s about focusing more and more on Jesus. The more this happens, the less we obsess about our looks, our achievements, or how popular we are.

As Paul writes in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In contrast, self-infatuation puts you at the centre of everything. If someone spends a disproportionate amount of time on how they look, it can turn into self-infatuation and pride. But the same thing can also happen when someone thinks too much about how poorly they think they look. That, too, is a kind of self-infatuation.

The same goes for someone who focusses too much on their achievements or on how popular they are. For some, they only feel good about their identity and worth if they are “better” than other people. Similarly, some people feel overly bad about their identity and worth because they never measure up to other people. Both of these can be a kind of self-infatuation. 

These are big topics, and all of us are works in progress. But I’ve found these two terms to be helpful as we think it all through. 

Are we moving in the direction of self-forgetfulness, or self-infatuation?

Let’s focus on Christ. In him, our identity and worth are settled. God made us. We belong to him. He is the source of our ultimate joy and purpose. 

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Notes:

Notes:

–The Up Daily Devotional has a new homebase at TheUpDevo.com! Feel free to check it out by clicking here, and pass it along to friends, family members, or fellow church-goers who might benefit from help, hope, clarity and confidence in the footsteps of Jesus.

-“Worry, Humility, and an Antidote to the Devil.” Click here. Sermon.

-Bible quotes, ESV.