Matthew 16.24-26
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?’”
Every age has its darkness and its dangers. The task of the Christian is not to whine about the moment in which he or she lives but to understand its problems and respond appropriately.
One of the central challenges of our generation is the rise of the imperial self. As I said two weeks ago, modern society has dethroned God and enthroned the self. No longer are people encouraged to seek fulfillment by aligning themselves with objective moral standards; instead, they are encouraged to seek fulfillment by indulging their personal preferences and passions.
Scripture repeatedly warns against this toxic mindset. In the passage quoted above, Jesus makes it crystal clear that following him requires subordinating the self, not indulging the self. It requires turning away from the ways of the world, not conforming to what is popular and pleasurable. To underscore the importance of his message, Jesus says that what is at stake is our very soul.
Three verses from Proverbs 14 are relevant here:
- “The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.” (Proverbs 14.8)
- “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14.12)
- “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14.15)
Failing to discern the dangers of self-deception has devastating consequences. Proverbs warns that the foolish man pays the ultimate price for his lack of discernment: “It’s end is the way to death.”
The wise person pays careful attention to himself and to the path he is following. He asks: Am I on the right path? “He discerns his way” (Proverbs 14.8). Am I doing the things the path requires? “He gives thoughts to his steps” (Proverbs 14.15).
The wise person is discerning about the standards and reference points he uses for his journey through life. He honors God and seeks the Lord’s wisdom for what path to follow. He does not get deceived by or caught up in the ways of the world.
The big message is: Beware of the imperial self, and beware of the seductive lies of the world.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3.5-7)
More tomorrow …
