Self-consciousness vs. God-consciousness

March 6, 2004

It is evident to me that self-consciousness is opposed to God-consciousness (see definitions).

Self-consciousness is when we have our own self at the center (love of self, self-interests, self-indulgence, self-absorption, feelings of superiority OR self-hatred and loathing, feelings of inferiority, worthlessness, low self-esteem), rather than having God at the center. It's when we are so wrapped up in ourselves, our "fixes" and selfish patterns that we cannot see God. Self-consciousness is when we are aware of what "we" want and go after it with a fury to the exclusion of everything and everyone that does not bring us personal satisfaction and glory. When we are self-consciousness it is artificial – fake – we are impostors not concerned about being a servant to all, as was Christ.

We frequently hear some speak of building self-esteem and recognizing self-worth. While I understand the need for us to feel better about ourselves, and that persons who use such terms are well intentioned, I find that it is too easy to actually try to locate that worth within ourselves. We are all made in the image of God, and therefore, everyone does have ultimate worth and is, therefore, worthy of our respect and tribute. Our esteem must be based on the fact that we recognize that God alone is the source of our worth, which He demonstrated with redemption and true Life through the atonement and shed blood of Christ. We love ourselves only because we understand that we have that worth that comes from God alone.

When talking with others, we sometimes hear them say we deserve an event or a thing that we would consider pleasing or beneficial. Likewise, we often hear advertisers make statements about what we deserve ("get the car that you deserve", "you deserve a vacation", etc.). When we think we deserve something, we may go to any lengths to achieve that end, and are usually discontent until we have done so. All we have comes from, and is a gift of, God. It all belongs to God, and we are to recognize that we are merely partakers of that which He provides and lends to us, and that our task is to be good stewards of all that He chooses to provide and that belongs to Him, including our children, our relationships, finances and material goods. The fact is that we do not deserve anything other than to spend eternity in Hell, and we are only freed from an eternity apart from God through accepting the gift of His Son.

To be God-conscious means that we are aware of His presence and His work in and through us, when we seek Him and long to be like Him to the inclusion of everything and everyone that does bring us personal satisfaction by bringing Glory to the Father, and in that state we are seeing ways to serve others in Love.

Breaking free from self-consciousness is not easy, even for Christians. We've become so entrenched in the everyday affairs of life, that we don't take time to listen to God — to hear His heartbeat — to become God-conscious.

Definitions: (American Heritage Dictionary) conscious adj. 1.a. Having an awareness of one's environment and one's own existence, sensations, and thoughts. See Synonyms at aware. . . 4. Intentionally conceived or done; deliberate. 5. Inwardly attentive or sensible; mindful. . . 6. Especially aware of or preoccupied with. Often used in combination. (e.g., self-conscious). In psychoanalysis, the component of waking awareness perceptible by a person at any given instant; consciousness. aware adj. 1. Having knowledge or cognizance: aware of their limitations. consciousness n. 1. The state or condition of being conscious. 2. A sense of one's personal or collective identity, especially the complex of attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristic of an individual or a group. . . self-conscious adj. 1. Aware of oneself as an individual or of one's own being, actions, or thoughts. . . 3. Excessively conscious of one's appearance or manner. . . 4. Showing the effects of self-consciousness; stilted. self-esteem n. Pride in oneself; self-respect. worth n. 1. The quality that renders something desirable, useful, or valuable. deserve v. —tr. 1. To be worthy of; merit. —intr. To be worthy or deserving.