Our Narcissistic Society

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
(Ecclesiastes 1:2)

Those timeless words from the wisest son of old that include the farthest reaches of the universe and all of it's histories, still only vain in comparison to the limitless power and majesty of it's Creator.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

(2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Almost like reading the headlines.  We live in a vain time.  Social media largely serving egos of those with a full head of self-esteem.  It's infected the Gospel in even our traditionally orthodox denominations.  Teaching we're so valuable that even God will overlook our sin to win our hearts to Him.  Slightly twisted theology is all it takes to change the original message.  Somehow, repentance has become a dirty word along with sin.  We've gotten away from the Apostle's words: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: " (1 John 1:6).  The only value we have in His eyes is that which was given by justification by faith.  No reason to feel proud at all, no room for self-esteem in other words.  "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. " (Romans 3:27)

Romans 3 is a good read for the self-esteem crowd in our churches.  "Walking in darkness."  Make sure your not.

Some relevant resources on this subject:

Don Matzat - The Intrusion of Psychology into Christian Theology