Articles
Spiritual Self Improvement
There is usually a rather large section in every bookstore [Remember those?] titled ‘Self Help,’ and is quite often a popular section because so many people have an idea of improving self whenever and however possible. It is usually this time of year when many actually take stock of their current condition or situation and, if they find they are not where they want to be — or who they want to be — they seek change. Anyone who seeks self-improvement is to be lauded and encouraged!
I probably don’t have to tell you that the great majority of those books that were written to help people improve themselves have gone by the wayside and have been nearly, if not completely, forgotten. Some books intended to help improve self did anything but; some of the methods and plans were not only not helpful, but some were outright dangerous, while others were not worth the paper they were printed on. Some falsely believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach, but their approach comes from faulty thinking and imperfect knowledge of the human mind and body. We would do much better to seek advice from the One who knows us better than we know ourselves: Our Creator!
Our Creator does indeed take an interest in our well-being, though many simply cannot comprehend an all-powerful, all-knowing Creator who would lower Himself to observe and even care about such lowly creatures, but He absolutely does just that. The psalmist wrote, many years ago, “Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” (Psa. 113:5, 6); who, indeed! David would also wonder at this, asking God, “Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow” (Psa. 144:3, 4). But He does take notice of man, and we should be eternally grateful that He does!
Jesus would also note the care of our Creator for man, instructing the disciples to pray secretly instead of doing it in a way that draws attention to self, reminding them, “your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly,” and, “your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt. 6:6-8). So well does our Creator know us that Jesus would tell His disciples to not fear what others might do to harm them, but to fear God, asking them, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:28-31). Suffice it to say, God knows us well, and He cares about our well-being. Especially for those who are His people, we have this promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
So, with the knowledge that God knows us each personally, knows our needs, and cares for us, should we not also want to be the best we can be? More importantly, should we not then desire to be the best servant, disciple, and example, that His name would be glorified through us? [See Matt. 5:16 and 1 Pet. 2:11, 12.] Well, yes, we should desire that, and here are a few ways His word tells us we can improve self.
Exercise Yourself Toward Godliness. (1 Tim. 4:7, 8) Paul’s instruction to Timothy was something worth heeding by every disciple: “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” The sad reality of this world is that there are many false and fake stories out there that promise you a better you or a better life, but they are pure fiction; they cannot offer you the means to improving yourself in a way that affects your eternity for the better. Only God and His ways can do that. The things of this world — “bodily exercise” — may certainly improve your physical health, but it profits you only here in this earthly life; exercising yourself toward godliness will profit you in “the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Following God’s ways may bring you forgiveness of sins [in the life that now is] and eternal life in heaven [that which is to come]. There is no better way to improve self than by becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ! And if you are already a disciple, your goal should be becoming more like Christ every day, for that is the highest goal we can ever strive for in this life.
Consider Yourself to Avoid Temptations to Sin. (Gal. 6:1) When Paul wrote of a brother who had been overtaken in sin, he said, “you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” It is sometimes tempting to look at a brother who has sinned and tell ourselves, “I would never do that,” and merely judge, rather than help restore. While we may not commit some particular sin, let us not fool ourselves into thinking we would never sin at all; John reminded the early disciples, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). The fact is, “each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (Jas. 1:14, 15). That is not just true for unbelievers; Christians, too, are drawn away by their own desires — and our spiritual adversary knows that!
Considering self in such situations — and at all times, actually — is a good thing, for we have a spiritual adversary who seeks our destruction, and temptations are the means. Hence Peter’s warning, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:8, 9).
Examine Yourself. (2 Cor. 13:5) Paul’s admonition to the early disciples is one we should heed, too: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” This is where we must be completely honest with ourselves, and this is where we must be thorough in our examination if we honestly seek self-improvement. It was the psalmist who wrote long ago, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139:23, 24). This is why we must examine ourselves, for we seek spiritual improvement! If we find that our heart is not right, or if we find “any wicked way” in self, then we must make immediate changes and do what God says we must do; there is no other way to improve self.
By now, you may have noticed that everything we can do for spiritual self-improvement is not ever just self; in each and every case, we need God’s help and guidance to truly and actually improve self. Without God’s plan, no man could have forgiveness and salvation; without God, there could be no overcoming temptation; and without God, there could be no faith and no hope.
If you are seeking self-improvement, seek God first! — Steven Harper
