But Christians Are Supposed To Be Christ Centered

warriortraining But Christians Are Supposed To Be Christ Centered When I first came in touch with the teachings known as “self-development”, I pushed them aside labeling them “self-centered” and even “humanistic”.

My objection was always “Christians are called to be Christ centered – not self centered”.

You may have had the same reactions, perhaps you still have some doubts.

Recently I have come back to this topic and noted that many men and women whose lives are very Christ centered are following the motivational teachings know as “Self Development” or “Personal Development”. I believe it was Jim Rohn who “invented” this title.

My recent visit to Florida where I met John Di Lemme in person and heard his teachings really opened my eyes to the true value of personal development for Christians.

So today let’s take a look at one of the biggest objections to Self Development for Christians. (in future articles we will look at more objections).

Aren’t Christians supposed to be Christ Centered?
I thought that Self-Development teaching was self centered instead of Christ centered.

First: take a look at what true wholesome self-development really is as outlined in the article – Self Development God’s Way – Part 1

oxygen But Christians Are Supposed To Be Christ Centered I am sure that you have taken a trip somewhere in an aircraft. When you watch the demonstration that shows you what to do when the oxygen mask comes down, what do you notice?

You are told: “Fix your OWN mask FIRST, then attend to your children.

In the same way, you need to get your OWN life SECURED and on track to reach your highest potential and then you will be better equipped to support the lives of others.

Second: The key issue is your heart motives.

Whatever you do in life you can do with one of three main motives:

Self-centered- your only interest would be to create value for yourself.
Others-centered - your genuine focus is to bring value to the lives of others.
God-centered - your motive for what you do is to please God, and very often this is combined with being “others-centered”. (Note the two main commandments that Jesus gave us in Mark 12:29-31. We are to love God with all our hears and others as ourselves).

So the bottom line is that it has everything to do with your heart motive.

A truly wholesome plan of self-development training followed with the motive of being your best for God and for others can only enhance your Christ centered life.

Here are the top 5 reasons for submitting yourself to a self-development training program:

To renew your mind.

Remember what Paul commanded us to do in Romans 12:2.
To learn to walk in the abundant life that Christ purchased for you.
This means you learn to walk in faith which is the biggest thing you can do to please God – Hebrews 11:1.
To learn to add value to the lives of others around you and with whom you come in contact every day.
(This responds to the second commandment found in Mark 12:31.)
To learn to live a disciplined life. A disciplined life becomes a successful life. The first command that Jesus spoke (as recorded in the Gospels) was: “Follow Me”.
A follower of Christ is known as a disciple or disciplined one. Now this does not mean that everyone who walks in discipline is a follower of Christ, but it DOES mean that everyone who truly follows Christ walks in discipline.
To learn to war against the negative influences of this world. The enemy has given himself the task of destroying this world using every negative influence he can throw into this world.

Remember, Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself will fall.

Why is it that so many Christians don’t seem to get their prayers answered, or are so often defeated in the battles of life?

Could it be that they are divided?
Their mouth speaks one thing (positive words) as they pray, yet their minds are thinking words of fear and doubt.

One of the great reasons for submitting to the disciplines of Self-Development training (sometimes called Personal Development), is to learn to:

become laser focused on your dreams, —
and to leave no room for doubt and fear in your mind.

Once you learn to become laser focused on your dreams (which God has put in your heart), you will find it easier to pray and study the Bible without your mind running off on tangents.

In a nutshell

A daily program of personal development will help you to train yourself to be a disciplined warrior.
A disciplined warrior always looks to his captain! (So when you apply self-development training to your life it does NOT mean you are not Christ centered, in fact it will help you to be MORE Christ centered).

God needs disciples (disciplined ones) and warriors.

Are you ready to REALLY train?

sig But Christians Are Supposed To Be Christ Centered
Photo Credits: Warrior In Training
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